Fern Frankel

Fern Frankel, age 91, of Chicago, passed away at St. Francis Hospital in Evanston on July 23, 2022, from complications resulting from pneumonia. Daughter of her late beloved parents, Dave and Ray Perlman, beloved wife of the late Nathan, loving and patient mother of Israel and Paul, proud grandmother of Dov, Nick (Charlie), Casey, and Tova, great-grandmother of Reed, and fond aunt to many nieces and nephews. The youngest of three Perlman sisters who grew up on the west side of Chicago during the Great Depression, Fern was known for her beauty and received the nickname “Gorgy” – short for gorgeous – by family and friends.

A talented artist, Fern attended the American Academy of Art on Wabash in Chicago until leaving school to marry at the age of 19, and later in life exhibited and sold her artwork at summer art fairs around the Chicago area. During the 1970s, Fern worked at North Shore Country Day School in Winnetka, before leaving to help Nate manage Frankel Leather & Findings, the family business. She retired in 1989 to travel the world and spend more time with her family, art and books. A lover of music and opera and an avid reader of poetry and tales of the macabre, Fern devoured books and helped instill a lifelong love of reading in her children and grandchildren. She was known by all for her sharp wit, great sense of humor, kindness and generosity.