Anita Schiller Neumann

Obituary

Anita Schiller Neumann

July 18, 1928 – February 6, 2023

Anita passed away peacefully on Feb. 6, 2023, surrounded by family.  She led a long, full life.  She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend.

Anita was predeceased by her husband, Robert Neumann, her sister, Ruth Graff, and her parents, Mary and Gustave Schiller.  She is survived by her daughters, Susie Wright and Jackie Pelavin (Mark Cohen), and her grandchildren Geoff Wright (Rachael Wright), John Wright, and Aaron Pelavin.

Anita was born and raised in Chicago.  She went to college at The University of Iowa, where she earned her BA in Political Science.  After graduation, she returned to Chicago, where she worked as a buyer of women’s lingerie for Mandel Brothers department store.  Anita and Bob met on a blind date on Valentine’s Day, 1954.  They married on June 27, 1954. Susie was born March 30, 1955.  Jackie arrived 2 years later.

Anita and Bob began their life together in Rogers Park.  In 1960, they purchased their first home in Northfield Manor.  Soon after moving to the suburbs, Anita got a drivers license.  She spent those early family years as a very traditional housewife, serving a home-cooked dinner every night, being home each day when the kids returned from school, carpooling the girls to school and extracurricular activities.  She joined the PTA and was involved in community activities -- both locally and in the Greater Chicago area (including volunteering at a preschool on the South Side of Chicago). 

Once the girls were in middle school, Anita decided to return to work and became licensed as a Realtor. Bob, ever the traditionalist, agreed to let her work out of the house, on the condition that she always be home in time to prepare and serve dinner.  As the years progressed, Bob became more enlightened, and was an ardent supporter of Anita’s career—he even started helping around the house.  Anita loved selling real estate, and her clients loved her.  She continued to work actively as a Realtor until she was nearly 90. 

In 1969, the family moved to their second house in Northfield, Sunset Ridge Road.    The house was wonderful for entertaining, something Anita loved!  She frequently welcomed friends and family for dinner parties, barbecues, and holidays—especially Thanksgiving Day.  Anita was famous for her Thanksgiving dinners.  The guest list kept growing over the years—it was important for her to include any friends who didn’t have a place to go.  And, as with all of Anita’s parties, if she didn’t have at least half left over, it meant she hadn’t made enough food!

In the mid- 1990’s, after both girls had officially moved out of state, and while Anita and Bob were still active and in good health, they sold the Sunset Ridge house and moved to a condominium at The Winnetka Mews.  Bob passed away in 2007, and Anita subsequently moved to The Mather in July of 2014.  At The Mather, Anita had a rich social life.  One year later In July of 2015 her only sister Ruthie relocated from Miami to The Mather.  Both sisters were happy to be living in the same location after living apart for more than 50 years, and frequently spent time together.  In addition to still selling real estate, Anita’s days were filled with bridge games, Mather committee meetings, reading, attending cultural events and staying abreast of current affairs—thanks to MSNBC, which was always on in her apartment. 

Anita was a lovely person.  She always had a smile on her face, a positive outlook and felt very fortunate for the life she lived.  She was honest, nonjudgmental, and believed in social justice.  She will be missed terribly by all whose lives she touched.    Contributions in her memory may be made to the Chicago Botanic Garden or to a charity of the donor’s choosing.