Bennie Tarnow

Bennie Tarnow, 72, passed away peacefully on May 27, 2023, after a six-year battle with Alzheimer's in Chicago, IL. She was born in Auburn, Alabama and was one of nine siblings who primarily grew up in Oneida, NY. She graduated from Oneida High School in 1970 and went on to earn a BS in Child & Family Services from the State University of NY at Plattsburg. She married Robert Laurence Tarnow Jr. and was an exceptional mother to her two children, residing in Seneca Falls, NY and Waterford, CT prior to moving to Illinois in 1989.

It was during her time in Evanston that her career flourished as she received her Master's in Teaching from National Louis University and dedicated her life to education and the success of young minds. She would say one of her most cherished career accomplishments was at Dawes Elementary School in multiple roles from Behavior Disorder to grades K-2. She went on to teach at Greeley School in Winnetka and Burton Pack Elementary in Columbia, SC. Training mid-career professionals and recent college graduates to become educators, Bennie worked for Academy for Urban School Leadership in Chicago. She enjoyed teaching in underserved communities and found it very rewarding because her philosophy was every child deserves a strong foundation in education. She was also an adjunct professor at National Louis University and a speaker at multiple conferences around the country. Some of her accomplishments include: Excellence & Mentoring Award from District 65 & 202, Contract Negotiator for District 65 and Teacher Representative program for Early Childhood.

Creativity knew no bounds! If you ask any of her friends, they would say Bennie's passions were gardening, cooking, crafting, love of music and laughter. Her children and grandchildren will always cherish the elaborate scrapbooks she made for them. She was always very thoughtful and her generosity was abundant. Her daughter will remember how supportive she was, always knowing the right thing to say to put her at ease and motivate her to slay the day. Her son will remember her for always motivating him, telling him to persevere and watching action movies together.

Bennie is survived by her daughter Lexi (Dustin) Heilmann of Chicago, IL, and son Eric (Kristy) Tarnow of Fargo, ND. She will be greatly missed by her 5 grandchildren who know her as G-Mom, Vaughn (12), Liam (11), Lana (7), Dorothy (6) and Freddie (3).

She was preceded in death by her mother Alice, father Benjamin Sr. and brother Brady.

In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate a donation be made to the Alzheimer's Association to help put an end to this disease.