Eileen A Pritzker

Eileen Anita Pritzker or Yocheved Chana bas Avraham, lovingly known as “Mom,” was born in Philadelphia, where she spent much of her childhood. Her grandparents owned a grocery store and ice cream parlor, with an apartment above the store where she spent countless hours — a setting that helped shape her early sense of family, community, connection, and hard work.

She grew up as the only child in a single-parent household after her parents divorced when she was four years old — something quite uncommon at the time and an experience that profoundly shaped her strength and independence. From a young age, Eileen developed a very strong sense of right and wrong, an enviable work ethic, and a resilience that would define her life and be passed on to her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

At the age of four, Eileen moved with her mother to Baltimore. It was there that, at just 15 years old, she met the love of her life, Herbert, at a fraternity party — she was 15, He was 16. Even then, she was networking and meeting people with confidence and ease. That chance meeting began a remarkable love story that spanned 68 beautiful years. Her beloved husband passed away in November 2023, closing a chapter that truly defined a lifetime.

Throughout those years, they were deeply involved in their temple and their community — participating in the sisterhood, helping in the gift shop, and supporting countless community events. They believed deeply in building community and strengthening the institutions that brought people together.

But the true center of Herbert and Eileen’s lives was always family. Some of the happiest memories were forged around the kitchen table — playing Scrabble, Boggle, and Rummikub. Those games were never just games; they were the moments where the bonds of love, laughter, and unity that hold our family together today were formed.

In 2014, when they moved to Beachwood, Ohio, that beloved tradition began again. Being at Herb and Eileen’s home every Sunday morning for breakfast wasn’t merely tradition or ritual — it was religion.

She is survived by her three children, twelve grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren — a living legacy of strength, resilience, humor, and heart.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, March 8th at 1:00pm at the Berkowitz Kumin Bookatz Memorial Chapel, 1985 S. Taylor Road, Cleveland Heights. Interment will immediately follow at Hillcrest Cemetery, 26700 Aurora Road, Bedford Heights. To view this service, please scroll down to the Services section and click on "JOIN LIVESTREAM".

Shiva will be observed at the home of Davida Fink, 1884 S. Compton Road, Cleveland Heights, from 5:30-7pm Sunday. Monday through Thursday, from 9:30am-12pm, 1:30-4pm, and 5:30-7pm. On Friday, from 9:30-12pm and 1:30-4pm. Shiva will be observed at the home of Lori Kaplan, 12823 Cherry Lane, Chesterland, OH, from 1pm-4pm and 6pm-8pm, Monday only.

Contributions in Eileen’s memory may be made to Temple Emanu El (www.teecleve.org).

Arrangements were made under the supervision of Berkowitz Kumin Bookatz Memorial Chapel.