Lauren “Lori” Fran Helfand, a dancer, choreographer and jewelry designer, died Feb. 27 after a decade-long battle with breast cancer. She was 53. Lauren danced professionally in New York City and Chicago working with a variety of modern dance choreographers such as Bebe Miller, Timothy Buckley, Carolyn Dorfman, Amy Sue Rosen and Nana Shineflug’s Chicago Moving Company. She also worked as a freelance choreographer and teacher, notably working with students at Leyden, New Trier and Deerfield high schools in the Chicago area. Lauren also worked as a designer of beaded jewelry, which she crafted and sold for more than 20 years. She leaves behind her husband Frank Alkyer and daughter Sarah Alkyer. Lauren was the devoted daughter of Myrna and the late Marvin Helfand, dear sister of Cindy Helfand, and fond niece of Sherry Azaria, Elayne (Phil) Dauber and Joel (Anna) Helfand . Funeral service is Monday March 3rd 1:00 p.m., at Temple Beth Israel, 3601 W. Dempster Street, Skokie. Interment is at Westlawn Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Lori’s name to Breast Cancer Research Foundation (bcrfcure.org) would be appreciated. Info Mitzvah Memorial Funerals 630-MITZVAH (648-9824), or WWW.MITZVAHFUNERALS.COM