Obituary for Lee Kahn
Lee Kahn (nee Homberg) passed away on August 4 th in the presence of her sons and the caring
staff at The Mather retirement community in Evanston, IL. Born on October 26, 1926, to Josef
Homberg and Rose Adler, residents of Koln-Nippes (Cologne), Germany, Lee’s life changed
dramatically under Nazi Germany. Forbidden from attending public school, at 8 years old, she
had to transfer to a Jewish school miles from her home, which required her taking public
transportation.
Her father struggled to get emigration papers, first to Paraguay, but by chance received US visas
for himself and his family in late 1939. They entered the US through Ellis Island in January 1940
and shortly after traveled by train to Chicago to join their sponsoring family, Ferdinand and
Marie Hyman. A haberdasher and seamstress by trade in Germany, her parents opened Rose
Hat Shops on the northside of Chicago.
Lee attended Schurz High School and graduated from Senn High School. Following high school,
she volunteered for the USO and sold war bonds, while also attending Wright Junior College.
Lee socialized at post-war Jewish group events where she met her husband of 36 years, Karl
Kahn, who predeceased her in 1983.
As a long-time member of Temple Ezra, she helped form the Mr. and Mrs. Club, through which
she gained life-long members of her extended family — the Blums, Dorns, Schechtmans, and
Sternfelds. Her early married years were spent in Chicago’s northside, Andersonville, in a multi-
family apartment building owned by Karl and Lee, across from Helen C. Pierce School.
The loves of Lee’s life were her children, Jay and Gary. She was a devoted mom, and they her
devoted children. They were with her for the days before her passing as well as by her bedside
when she passed. Growing up in Chicago and then Lincolnwood, Lee made sure her kids were
active in sports, camps, and JCC activities.
Lee worked hard throughout her life. She was outstanding at phone solicitation and retail sales.
Small, sweet and attractive, Lee was disarming and could carry on a conversation with anyone.
As a sales person at downtown Chicago’s Bonwit-Teller women’s clothes department, she built
a clientele that included Ms. Oprah Winfrey, Mrs. Michael Jordan, Mayor Jayne Byrne, and Mrs.
Jesse Jackson.
Several years following the passing of her husband Karl, Lee relocated to Hallandale, Florida,
where she lived for 27 years. Walking along Hollywood Beach, dancing, and volunteering for
the animal shelter kept her busy. It was at playing bridge, however, where she excelled,
earning Masters points for her tournament play. With her partner of 20 years, David
Wittenstein, she also enjoyed traveling around the world.
In 2013, following David’s death, Lee moved back to the Chicagoland area and resided at The
Mather, a senior-living community in Evanston, Illinois. This put her at closer reach to her son
Gary, family friends, and more people who loved playing bridge. Lee frequently topped The
Mather’s weekly duplicate bridge playing competition.
Lee was loved by The Mather staff where she lived for 10 years. She persevered through a
variety of medical challenges with the assistance of The Mather’s assisted-living staff. As Lee
had been strongly independent throughout her life, the staff helped her sustain an active life.
Lee was loved by her grandchildren, David, Denise, Darryl, and Brett. They would visit her in
Florida and Evanston and share Facetime chats with her.
Lee is survived by her son Jay Kahn and his wife Cheryl of Keene, New Hampshire, and by son
Gary Kahn of Wilmette, Illinois, and Mazatlan, Mexico; by grandchildren David Kahn of
Asheville, NC, and Denise Kahn Terra and Mike Terra of Concord, MA, and their children, Joshua
and Andrew; grandchild Brett Kahn and his wife Monica Kahn of Chicago, IL, and
their child, Astrid; and Simona Kahn and her child Isabella. Lee is predeceased by husband Karl
Kahn and grandson Darryl Kahn.
Funeral arrangements are being made through Mitzvah Memorial Funerals. On Wednesday,
August 9 at 1 PM, a funeral service will be held at the Mander Chapel on the grounds of the
New Light Cemetery, 6807 East Prairie Rd. in Lincolnwood, Illinois. The funeral service will be
viewable on https://www.mitzvahfunerals.com/memorials/lee-kahn/5245013/index.php
A graveside service will follow immediately afterwards. After the burial, a reception and shiva
service will be held at the home of Holly and Joel Sher, located at 200 W. Grand Avenue, the
24 th floor, in Chicago.
A shiva service will also be held at Congregation Ahavas Achim in Keene, NH on Monday, August
14 at 7 PM. A link to the service will be posted on the homepage of the synagogue's website,
www.keenesynagogue.org.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Cohen Center for Holocaust
and Genocide Studies at Keene State College, 229 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431.
staff at The Mather retirement community in Evanston, IL. Born on October 26, 1926, to Josef
Homberg and Rose Adler, residents of Koln-Nippes (Cologne), Germany, Lee’s life changed
dramatically under Nazi Germany. Forbidden from attending public school, at 8 years old, she
had to transfer to a Jewish school miles from her home, which required her taking public
transportation.
Her father struggled to get emigration papers, first to Paraguay, but by chance received US visas
for himself and his family in late 1939. They entered the US through Ellis Island in January 1940
and shortly after traveled by train to Chicago to join their sponsoring family, Ferdinand and
Marie Hyman. A haberdasher and seamstress by trade in Germany, her parents opened Rose
Hat Shops on the northside of Chicago.
Lee attended Schurz High School and graduated from Senn High School. Following high school,
she volunteered for the USO and sold war bonds, while also attending Wright Junior College.
Lee socialized at post-war Jewish group events where she met her husband of 36 years, Karl
Kahn, who predeceased her in 1983.
As a long-time member of Temple Ezra, she helped form the Mr. and Mrs. Club, through which
she gained life-long members of her extended family — the Blums, Dorns, Schechtmans, and
Sternfelds. Her early married years were spent in Chicago’s northside, Andersonville, in a multi-
family apartment building owned by Karl and Lee, across from Helen C. Pierce School.
The loves of Lee’s life were her children, Jay and Gary. She was a devoted mom, and they her
devoted children. They were with her for the days before her passing as well as by her bedside
when she passed. Growing up in Chicago and then Lincolnwood, Lee made sure her kids were
active in sports, camps, and JCC activities.
Lee worked hard throughout her life. She was outstanding at phone solicitation and retail sales.
Small, sweet and attractive, Lee was disarming and could carry on a conversation with anyone.
As a sales person at downtown Chicago’s Bonwit-Teller women’s clothes department, she built
a clientele that included Ms. Oprah Winfrey, Mrs. Michael Jordan, Mayor Jayne Byrne, and Mrs.
Jesse Jackson.
Several years following the passing of her husband Karl, Lee relocated to Hallandale, Florida,
where she lived for 27 years. Walking along Hollywood Beach, dancing, and volunteering for
the animal shelter kept her busy. It was at playing bridge, however, where she excelled,
earning Masters points for her tournament play. With her partner of 20 years, David
Wittenstein, she also enjoyed traveling around the world.
In 2013, following David’s death, Lee moved back to the Chicagoland area and resided at The
Mather, a senior-living community in Evanston, Illinois. This put her at closer reach to her son
Gary, family friends, and more people who loved playing bridge. Lee frequently topped The
Mather’s weekly duplicate bridge playing competition.
Lee was loved by The Mather staff where she lived for 10 years. She persevered through a
variety of medical challenges with the assistance of The Mather’s assisted-living staff. As Lee
had been strongly independent throughout her life, the staff helped her sustain an active life.
Lee was loved by her grandchildren, David, Denise, Darryl, and Brett. They would visit her in
Florida and Evanston and share Facetime chats with her.
Lee is survived by her son Jay Kahn and his wife Cheryl of Keene, New Hampshire, and by son
Gary Kahn of Wilmette, Illinois, and Mazatlan, Mexico; by grandchildren David Kahn of
Asheville, NC, and Denise Kahn Terra and Mike Terra of Concord, MA, and their children, Joshua
and Andrew; grandchild Brett Kahn and his wife Monica Kahn of Chicago, IL, and
their child, Astrid; and Simona Kahn and her child Isabella. Lee is predeceased by husband Karl
Kahn and grandson Darryl Kahn.
Funeral arrangements are being made through Mitzvah Memorial Funerals. On Wednesday,
August 9 at 1 PM, a funeral service will be held at the Mander Chapel on the grounds of the
New Light Cemetery, 6807 East Prairie Rd. in Lincolnwood, Illinois. The funeral service will be
viewable on https://www.mitzvahfunerals.com/memorials/lee-kahn/5245013/index.php
A graveside service will follow immediately afterwards. After the burial, a reception and shiva
service will be held at the home of Holly and Joel Sher, located at 200 W. Grand Avenue, the
24 th floor, in Chicago.
A shiva service will also be held at Congregation Ahavas Achim in Keene, NH on Monday, August
14 at 7 PM. A link to the service will be posted on the homepage of the synagogue's website,
www.keenesynagogue.org.
The family asks that in lieu of flowers contributions be made to the Cohen Center for Holocaust
and Genocide Studies at Keene State College, 229 Main Street, Keene, NH 03431.