Obituary
Louise Unell of Las Vegas died Monday February 14, 2022 at the age of 64. She is survived by her husband of 24 years Steven Gleicher, her brother Alan Unell and his wife Vokouhi Hovagimian, her niece Alisa Unell, her nephew Harry Unell, and her step-children Justin (Courtney Woods) Gleicher and Kirstin (Daniel) Harnos. She was "Bubby Lou" to grandchildren Julian Gleicher, and Grant and Natalie Harnos.
Born in 1957 in Chicago, IL., Louise was the daughter of Norma (Stainer) and Harry Unell. Louise attended Peterson grammar school and Von Steuben High School in Chicago. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration / Marketing. She also attended the Kellogg Graduate School of Business at Northwestern University. Louise had a successful career in marketing research, having worked for many different ad agencies including Ogilvy and Mather, Bozell, Inc, Tracy-Locke Advertising, Information Resources, Inc, and Leo Burnett USA. She was also an independent Marketing Research Consultant and Focus Group Moderator for four years, while she helped take care of her mother, who had cancer during that time.
Her last job prior to retirement was co-managing the Las Vegas office of Right at Home with her husband Steve. Together they built the business from scratch, providing high quality in-home care in Las Vegas. Their experience enabled them to choose that kind of caring atmosphere at home during her last days of life.
When Louise was not working full time, she brought her extensive experience to a wide-range of volunteer endeavors including working with the American Cancer Society for over 15 years, the Sonoma Valley Chorale, the LA Aids Project, the LA Jewish Symphony, the Denver Art Museum, and the Allied Jewish Federation of Denver. Louise also had 7 years of Not-For-Profit Board Level Experience with Face-To-Face, a Sonoma County Aids Network, and the Halevi Choral Society of Chicago. At Face-to-Face Louise helped develop and open an upscale Thrift Store in Santa Rosa. When Louise and Steve settled in Las Vegas, Louise served on many different committees at Temple Sinai where she was a member for the last 15 years.
But what Louise loved to do most was sing. She was gifted with a beautiful alto voice. She sang in The University of Illinois women's glee club, numerous Community and Temple choirs and several performing choir groups. She sang her way through Europe twice with choral groups. Louise was an alto the choir director could always count on. It was her singing as a child in the children's choir at Temple that brought her Steven. Her lifelong friendship with Steve's cousin Howard Pfeifer, a fellow children's choir member, and his mom, Anita, brought Louise and Steve together. They were fixed up on a blind date, that led to a 24 plus year marriage marked by a deep friendship and love for each other.
Louise enjoyed singing, music, travel, cooking, volunteering, walking, reading and participating in book clubs, and watching sports with Steve. Due to the pandemic, much of her activities were curtailed as she did not want to expose herself to COVID. However, Steve convinced her to take a trip this past November to visit her 3 grandkids, and she was able to hold Natalie Rose for the first time. The trip went great and looking back it was a blessing.
Louise was a woman with a great zest for life. She adored her family and friends and, most of all, her best friend, her husband Steve. She was always ready for an adventure and relished any chance to travel. She was smart and perceptive and took great pleasure in analyzing a book, learning a new song, practicing for a concert, preparing a new recipe, and experiencing a different culture. She had many dear friends with whom she shared thoughtful discussions and insights, and many great laughs.
A Chapel service will be held on Monday February 21, 2022 at 12:15pm at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W Rand Road, Arlington Heights, IL. 60004, with burial to follow at Shalom Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society of Las Vegas or a charity of your choice.