Charlotte E. Izenman

Charlotte Esther Izenman (Block), age 88, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, November 30, 2013, at Saint Matthew Center for Health and under the services of Accord Hospice in Park Ridge, Illinois, after two recent hospitalizations, rehabilitation services and a long battle with congestive heart failure.

Charlotte was born in Boston, the youngest child of Max and Minnie Block who immigrated to the United States in 1921 from Lithuania to escape religious persecution. She was preceded in death not only by her beloved parents, but by her second husband, Philip Izenman, two dear brothers, Henry Block (Ferne) and Sam Block (the late Ann), nephew Gerald Block (Henry’s son) and a special friend from The Park where she most recently lived in Niles, Illinois, Hershey Berson. Her first marriage to Irving Gassman, now deceased, ended in divorce.

Charlotte is survived by many who brought her much “nachas” (joy), daughter Roberta Gassman (Lester Pines); sons Michael Gassman (Lani May- Gassman)and Steven Gassman; three grandchildren Anna Gassman-Pines (David Halpern), Jenny Gassman-Pines (Ben Weeks) and Max Gassman; and three great-grandchildren, Isabel and Theo Halpern and Betty Weeks; two step-children, Randi Wine (Steve) and Jeffrey Izenman and his two children, Danny and Emily; and, many devoted nieces and nephews.

Family was the most important part of Charlotte’s life and she took great pleasure in hosting and attending many joyous family celebrations. She also had been a talented classical singer before her first marriage and later a very creative and successful entrepreneur. She had a lifelong devotion to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and labor unions because she always remembered growing up during the Great Depression and credited the President and her father’s union with helping her family through Max’s difficult unemployment. It was also through the Works Progress Administration (WPA), under the tutelage of a gifted unemployed musician, that Charlotte was able to study voice, something that the family otherwise could never have afforded. Her beautiful contralto voice blossomed and she performed professionally on the East coast and in Canada, and at USOs, where she met Irving during World War II.

Charlotte and Irving moved to Chicago in 1953, buying a home in Evanston because of its excellent public schools and going into business with Henry and Ferne. She and Ferne created three Block’s Bath Shops, the original on West Touhy in Chicago and later also in Old Orchard and Deerbrook. During the post-war housing boom and before the emergence of the national big box chains, this is where thousands of Chicagoans shopped for their bathrooms and homes for decades. Before her retirement in 1988, she also worked with Henry in their wholesale textiles business in downtown Chicago, Fernchar Textiles.

For years Congregation Ezras Israel was the hub of her social life, with her brother Henry and husband Phil both serving as former presidents. She enjoyed winters in Florida with many Ezras Israel friends and loved music, art and travel. Always the child of the Depression, she loved a good bargain, and as the daughter of a baker, she loved good bread. She will be missed by many and may her memory be a blessing.

Funeral services will be held at Weinstein Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Boulevard, Wilmette, Illinois, 60091 at 2:00pm on Monday, December 2, followed by burial at Shalom Memorial Park, 1700 West Rand Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois, 60004.

Shiva will be observed at the home of Michael and Lani, 8856 North Ewing, Evanston, 60204, at 6pm, on Monday, December 2 and Tuesday, December 3.

Donations may be made to Congregation Ezras Israel, 7001 N. California Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60645 or to Gassman Opportunities Fund for the School of Social Work at the University of Wisconsin Foundation, 1848 University Ave., Madison, Wisconsin 53726-4090. Info: 847-256-5700.