Obituary
Leah Joy Axelrod, 94, passed away on February 15, 2024. Beloved wife and best friend of the late Leslie for 70 wonderful years; loving mother of David (Penny), Harry (Hollis), Garrick, Bradley (Robin), Nell, and the late Craig (Carolina Gonzalez); cherished "Gram" of Melanie, Robert, Peri (Scott) Babendir and Ari; much loved "Gram Gram" of Eliana Babendir. Leah had multiple careers and was always an active leader in the community. She was involved in religious organizations: B'nai Torah Sisterhood president, gift shop manager, choreographed temple productions and a Life Member Hadassah. Leah was Founder and past-president of Highland Park Historical Society, member Chicago Jewish Historical Society and past-president of Illinois State Historical Society. She taught creative dramatics to children with the Highland Park Park District, read books to children for storytime at Highland Park Library, she conveyed her love of history to children by founding and running the Highland Park Junior Historical Society. A proud business owner for more than 25 years, she owned and operated My Kind of Town Tours, her own tour company, educating people of all ages the ethnic, religious, architectural, and food diversity existing in the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas. She will be dearly missed. Memorial donations in her honor made be made to the Illinois State Historical Society, www.historyillinois.org/SupportUs/MakeaDonation or the Chicago Jewish Historical Society, www.chicagojewishhistory.org/the-society/donate. A graveside service was held at Shalom Memorial Park. For the link to view the service, shiva information, and to leave condolences www.shalommemorial.org or call (847) 255-3520.