June Atlas Karlen

June Atlas Karlen lived a long and wonderful 101 years. She was the daughter of Lottie and Benjamin Joseph and sister to Mae Nessenson. She had two very happy marriages to Leon M. Atlas and Harvey M. Karlen. She loved her family–daughters Susan Atlas Kelley (and her husband Stephen Kelley) and Caron Atlas; grandchildren Alex Kelley, Rachel Schulman (and her husband Zach Schulman), and Zoe; great grandchild Atlas Schulman; and stepsons David and Doug Karlen. We love her with all our hearts.

June grew up in Hyde Park, and lived in Melrose Park and Oak Park. She received her Bachelor’s degree at the Chicago Teachers College and a Master’s in Counseling and Special Education from Northeastern University. She was employed by the Chicago Board of Education for 40 years as a School Counselor and Special Education teacher. As she put it, “I loved every single day of my career.” She received letters from her students over the decades saying how much she had changed their lives. Her principal noted in a birthday card that she “had a gift for making children feel so special, so precious, and unique.”

June loved to travel and visited over 44 countries throughout the world. She brought home stories about the wonderful people that she met and her home was filled with beautiful art from her trips. Her drawers were filled with another form of art, the beautiful sweaters that she knit over the years.

She was a loyal, devoted, and caring friend. Her friendships lasted decades through joy and grief - some over 50 years. She was an enthusiastic matchmaker, and on more than one occasion introduced her friends to their future spouses.

June’s passing was peaceful. Two days before, the orchid she received for her 100th birthday bloomed again. Like the orchid June will live on through all that she shared with all the people she loved. May her memory be a blessing.

In lieu of flowers we welcome contributions in June’s name to the Children First Fund (www.childrenfirstfund.org), Oak Park Temple B’nai Abraham Zion (www.oakparktemple.org), or the charity of your choice.