FEBRUARY 16 , 1965 – DECEMBER 12 , 2021

ur beloved spa sister Tracie

Ridder Wertz left us early Sunday morning , December 12 , her soulmate and loyal husband Bill

Barczy by her side . Tracie recently had a recurrence of clear cell sarcoma , a very challenging form of cancer she had battled 10 years prior that had resulted in partial leg amputation .

Tracie was devoted to the spa industry and people in it for more than 20 years , sharing triumphs and setbacks with us , riding the waves of life . She was a model of positivity and always faced her professional and personal challenges with her sharp intelligence , her relentless perseverance and her soulful passion .

Tracie was a business major and graduated from the University of Illinois . Her career in the spa industry spanned decades , working for renowned companies including Phy-

Tracie with her husband , Bill .

Tracie and the author .

tomer , Skin Authority and Universal Companies . She was also an entrepreneur , helping launch Live Love Spa and co-founding the successful spa retail business A La Mode along with Bill . A La Mode was sold to Universal Companies in 2015 , and Tracie and Bill continued on to run the retail division . Most recently , she was Director of Corporate Accounts for HydraFacial , a position she absolutely loved and was dedicated to for the past four years . Tracie continued to work until the very last days of her illness — a testament to her incredible drive and work ethic .

Tracie ’ s contributions to the spa industry are vast . She was most proud of her many years of service as a Committee Chair and Board Member of the Green Spa Network , now known as GSN Planet . She was passionate about helping our spa community make positive change and she helped develop tools for spa businesses to further their greening and sustainable practices .

Through her participation in ISPA , GSN and her business travels to many spas throughout the country , she developed a huge network of friends and spa family . Tracie was a mentor to Rendy Nelson , Spa Director at the Women ’ s Athletic Club of Chicago : “ She shared knowledge , resources and connections without hesitation .”

She will always feel like a sister to us , encouraging us , and supporting us

42 PULSE ^■ FEBRUARY / MARCH 2022