Obituary
Fay Katlin, most recently of Glenview IL. Passed away peacefully on January 2nd, 2022.
Fay was a lifelong Chicagoan, who spent winters in Palm Springs with her late husband of 50+ years Frank, and later with her companion of 13 years Larry Blum.
Fay and Frank married when Fay was just 19. They raised four kids primarily in Wilmette, IL. Jory (Jill), Mitchel (Donna), Andrew (Suzi), Nancy Willinger (Abe). Among the four kids were ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, all of whom were her greatest joy.
Fay’s parents, Maurice and Mae Olshansky, were Russian immigrants who came to Chicago in the early 1920s. Fay attended South Shore High School, where she met Frank. Maxwell Street was her childhood playground and is where her father Maurice launched Maurice Sporting Goods. The company went on to become the largest sporting goods wholesaler in the US. The company was originally run by her father, her husband Frank, and her two late brothers Harold (Sheila) and Melvin (late Roberta). Jory would subsequently run the company with Andrew and her nephew Michael Olshansky joining in the leadership later as well.
Fay’s life was divided into several amazing chapters. Chapter one, was raising four kids. This alone would have fulfilled many, but during those years she finished college and earned a Masters of Social Work. She worked many years as a social worker in both public and private practice. Chapter two, as her work life slowed, included worldwide travel with Frank as well as a stint as a volunteer in the Israeli Defense Forces in honor of Frank’s passing. Fay was also involved in numerous charitable organizations.
After the passing of Frank in 2005, Chapter three was fortunately filled with the coming of age of Fay’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She derived great joy in watching them all grow up. It was also during this time she met Larry Blum, who was her companion for 13 years until his passing in March 2020. Among Fay’s many accomplishments, in addition to raising her family, was completion of her memoir, Pieces of a Life. Her book more completely captures what this obituary could only cover a small part of.
Fay will be buried at Waldheim cemetery on January 6th, 2022, in a private family ceremony. The service will be livestreamed on Thursday, 2:30 p.m. CT at www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com. Under Recent Services, click onto Fay’s photograph and scroll down to Service Details to view her service. Due to Covid, there will be no shiva. In lieu of flowers, donations to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, www.ushmm.org. Info: The Goldman Funeral Group (847) 478-1600.
Arrangements by Goldman Funeral Group. www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com
Donations
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum http://ushmm.org/donate