On Thursday, November 17, 2022 Charlotte Newfeld passed away just one week shy of her 92nd birthday. Charlotte was born into a Jewish family in Chicago’s Albany Park neighborhood. She is preceded in death by her parents; Rebecca and Jacob Aronson, sisters Janet and Arlene, husband Bernard and son David. She attended Von Steuben High School, and received her Masters of Fine Arts (MFA) from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
She worked as a professional artist at a gallery in Chicago’s Old Town neighborhood and later at Studio 23 on Lincoln Avenue where she created her works in ceramics, sterling silver and watercolors. In addition to her artistic talent, Charlotte was a fierce community activist. Her contributions to the Lakeview neighborhood where she lived for nearly 60 years included improvements in education, open spaces, neighborhood protections and AIDS awareness. The Chicago Tribune once described her as “the Grand Dame of the lakefront liberals”.
She was also a tenacious advocate for gay and lesbian rights, being inducted into the LGBT Hall of fame in 1996. She was an active participant in numerous political campaigns. In 1983 she ran for alderman in the 46th ward, and lost by just 66 votes.
She was the president of Citizens United for Baseball in Sunshine (CUBS) where she led the “No Lights” campaign in an attempt to stop night games in Wrigley Field. While night games ultimately prevailed, the group was able to ensure safety measures to protect the neighborhood and its residents.
Her later years were dedicated to her passion for nature and Chicago’s lakefront. She was the creative visionary for the Bill Jarvis Migratory bird sanctuary in Lincoln Park. She was known as "the Jarvis Earth Mother." Along with a cadre of volunteers she was instrumental in the sanctuary’s restoration, protection and ongoing management.
She is survived by her daughter Julie Newfeld and son-in-law Greg Pranski.
Celebration of Life to be held at Ann Sather restaurant in early 2023. For more information contact [email protected].
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