Obituary for Edith Sternfeld
Edith Sternfeld, nee Emanuel, age 97 was born October 17, 1924 in Cologne, Germany. She emigrated to America in 1938, with her parents Ludwig and Elisabeth Emanuel.
Like many immigrants of the time, Edith lived her life grateful and thankful for the safety and opportunity provided by America and the American life she came to live, and also proud of her German-Jewish heritage.
Edith was recently preceded in death by her beloved husband of 44 years, Paul Sternfeld. Edith was the proud and loving mother of the late Steve Dorn, Perry (Britta) Schechtman, Randi (Jay) Dorn Ryan, Marc (Donna) Schechtman and Craig (Laina) Schechtman and the loving stepmother of Michael Sternfeld and Karen Rollins. She was the loving grandmother to fifteen grandchildren Michael, Jamie, Adam, Arielle, Noah, Helena, Nela, Sonia, Brady, Todd, Lauren, Ryan, Megan, Lindsay, and Alex. She also was great grandmother to ten great grandchildren,
Edith was blessed in life to have many close friends and relatives. She cherished her Uncle Hans as well as her first cousin Eva (Lloyd) Mendelson. Eva’s father, Richard Emanuel, sponsored Edith and her family to enable them to come to the United States to escape Nazi Germany.
Edith and her family were part of a close-knit group of families of German speaking immigrants who became family to each other. These included Lee and Karl Kahn, Nita and Walter Blum and Elfie and Paul Sternfeld and their children. The families often had Sunday dinners together, celebrated holidays, and picnicked at Montrose Beach and Harms Woods.
Edith was an active and loving parent, being involved in all of her children’s activities and participating in a leadership role in fund-raising and other organizational activities for their schools and with Temple Ezra where the family belonged. Edith worked in sales for many years to help support her family and was often recognized for her success and provided leadership opportunities. She also regularly volunteered at the Self-help Home for the aged, where her mother (Mutti) lived for many years.
As Edith’s family grew with son and daughters in-law and then grandchildren, she became the matriarch of a very large family, and hosted remarkable holiday dinners with love and with unbelievable organizational abilities and hard work.
Later in life Edith and Paul traveled, became avid bridge and tennis players, enjoyed Chicago sports teams, and were active Chicago Symphony and opera attendees- both in downtown Chicago and at Ravinia. Edith and Paul had many close friends both in Chicago and in their winter home in Florida that are too numerous to mention but were such a huge part of her and Paul’s life and are so deserving of our collective gratitude.
At 97, in poor health, and with the loss of her dear husband Paul it was Edith’s time to go, but our memories of her rich and loving life will bring all of her family and friends blessings and joy.
The family also wants to recognize and thank Kim Delarosa and Dado De Castro, who provided loving care to Edith and Paul at their home at Lincolnwood Place in recent years.
Services to be held on Thursday, Decemeber 30th, at 12:00 PM in the Chapel at New Light Cemetery 6807 E. Prairie Road, Lincolnwood, IL, 60712
In lieu of flowers donations to The Self Home in Chicago https://selfhelphome.org/ways-to-give/ or the Chicago Chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Foundation https://pancreasfoundation.org/state-chapters/illinois/ in Edith's name would be appreciated. Arrangements by Mitzvah Memorial Funerals, 630-Mitzvah (630)648-9824, or www.mitzvahfunerals.com
*Due to Covid concerns Masks will be required for all attendees
Like many immigrants of the time, Edith lived her life grateful and thankful for the safety and opportunity provided by America and the American life she came to live, and also proud of her German-Jewish heritage.
Edith was recently preceded in death by her beloved husband of 44 years, Paul Sternfeld. Edith was the proud and loving mother of the late Steve Dorn, Perry (Britta) Schechtman, Randi (Jay) Dorn Ryan, Marc (Donna) Schechtman and Craig (Laina) Schechtman and the loving stepmother of Michael Sternfeld and Karen Rollins. She was the loving grandmother to fifteen grandchildren Michael, Jamie, Adam, Arielle, Noah, Helena, Nela, Sonia, Brady, Todd, Lauren, Ryan, Megan, Lindsay, and Alex. She also was great grandmother to ten great grandchildren,
Edith was blessed in life to have many close friends and relatives. She cherished her Uncle Hans as well as her first cousin Eva (Lloyd) Mendelson. Eva’s father, Richard Emanuel, sponsored Edith and her family to enable them to come to the United States to escape Nazi Germany.
Edith and her family were part of a close-knit group of families of German speaking immigrants who became family to each other. These included Lee and Karl Kahn, Nita and Walter Blum and Elfie and Paul Sternfeld and their children. The families often had Sunday dinners together, celebrated holidays, and picnicked at Montrose Beach and Harms Woods.
Edith was an active and loving parent, being involved in all of her children’s activities and participating in a leadership role in fund-raising and other organizational activities for their schools and with Temple Ezra where the family belonged. Edith worked in sales for many years to help support her family and was often recognized for her success and provided leadership opportunities. She also regularly volunteered at the Self-help Home for the aged, where her mother (Mutti) lived for many years.
As Edith’s family grew with son and daughters in-law and then grandchildren, she became the matriarch of a very large family, and hosted remarkable holiday dinners with love and with unbelievable organizational abilities and hard work.
Later in life Edith and Paul traveled, became avid bridge and tennis players, enjoyed Chicago sports teams, and were active Chicago Symphony and opera attendees- both in downtown Chicago and at Ravinia. Edith and Paul had many close friends both in Chicago and in their winter home in Florida that are too numerous to mention but were such a huge part of her and Paul’s life and are so deserving of our collective gratitude.
At 97, in poor health, and with the loss of her dear husband Paul it was Edith’s time to go, but our memories of her rich and loving life will bring all of her family and friends blessings and joy.
The family also wants to recognize and thank Kim Delarosa and Dado De Castro, who provided loving care to Edith and Paul at their home at Lincolnwood Place in recent years.
Services to be held on Thursday, Decemeber 30th, at 12:00 PM in the Chapel at New Light Cemetery 6807 E. Prairie Road, Lincolnwood, IL, 60712
In lieu of flowers donations to The Self Home in Chicago https://selfhelphome.org/ways-to-give/ or the Chicago Chapter of the Pancreatic Cancer Foundation https://pancreasfoundation.org/state-chapters/illinois/ in Edith's name would be appreciated. Arrangements by Mitzvah Memorial Funerals, 630-Mitzvah (630)648-9824, or www.mitzvahfunerals.com
*Due to Covid concerns Masks will be required for all attendees