Obituary
Evelyn Oberlander, 92, of Northbrook, Illinois, described affectionately by her husband of nearly 70 years as a woman with “a heart of gold,” died peacefully on Sunday night surrounded by family. A talented seamstress who learned the craft to perfection in New York after immigrating from Europe post-World War II, Evelyn ran her own business in her Skokie basement while raising children. She also worked in dress shops and was the tailor at Sharp Corner Cleaners in Skokie, which she co-owned with her husband David for some years.
Loved by all who knew her, Evelyn was kind, charming, generous, and energetic. She was ever grateful - in recent years she would constantly repeat, “I have three wonderful children and three wonderful grandchildren, and they all get along!” Evelyn spoke six languages fluently and was drawn to people with accents from different places. She would regularly stop strangers on the street and talk to them in their native language.
A Holocaust survivor like her late husband David, Evelyn was tough and resilient; she devoted her life to caring (and cooking) for family and community. She stayed in close contact with family in New York, Baltimore, California, and Venezuela. She eagerly volunteered in multiple places, including her longtime synagogue, B’nai Emunah, and Kohl Children’s Museum, where one of her favorite assignments was in the grocery store helping children (including her grandchildren) “shop” with small carts.
Evelyn’s children and grandchildren loved how she would play with and fully attend to them. A natural storyteller, Evelyn tirelessly shared memories of life and family—tales of survival and transcendence—as well as a small collection of family photographs from her growing-up years in Romania. She passed down wisdom and life lessons from her mother, who died in a botched surgery in a displaced persons camp before the family immigrated to America. Although she had a painful past as a child of genocide, she always highlighted the good in humanity.
Evelyn was predeceased by her husband, David, who died Aug. 20, 2020. She is survived by her children Jeff (Elaine), Marcia (Ross Nickow), and Orin (Vicky); and her adoring grandchildren Andre (Jasmine), Camille (Randy), and Lilly.
Services will be held at Shalom Memorial Park, followed by interment. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to HIAS Immigration & Citizenship, Marjorie Kovler Center, Kohl Children's Museum, or the charity of your choice.