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Shelby Lerner Obituary
Shelby Adam Lerner, age 44, of Chicago; beloved husband and best friend for 16 years of Michal, nee Seggev; the most amazing father of Elan and Shira; son of Michael and Marsha; brother of Dena Teller; son-in-law of Varda and Dr. Joram Seggev; brother-in-law of Guy and Itai (Dara Goldman) Seggev; treasured uncle and remarkable friend to so many. Shelby's legacy will eternally be with the many lives he touched. Service Wednesday, 1:30 p.m. at Anshe Emet Synagogue, 3751 N. Broadway, Chicago. Interment Rosehill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Northwestern Brain Tumor Institute, www.braintumorinstitute.org or Voices Against Brain Cancer, www.voicesagainstbraincancer.org, Info: The Goldman Funeral Group, www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com (847) 478-1600.
Memories and Condolences
for Shelby Lerner
34 Entries
Abigail Copeland
September 21, 2015
I am so sorry for your loss,Michal,Elan and Shira, Michael, Marsha and Dena. I was on the WUJS programme with Shelby in Israel in 1994/5.I only have positive memories of Shelby as happy, upbeat, genuine and very friendly. He more than anyone kept the group in contact after we finished the programme. It was lovely to see you, Michal, him and Elan again in London more recently. I will miss Shelby and always remember him and my thoughts are with you all.
September 18, 2015
Shelby's smile is treasured by many and will live on in his children and those who know him. So deeply saddened by his passing, and his beautiful presence will be missed. What a wonderful inspiration he is, as he is present in our thoughts and prayers.
Alan Skidelsky
September 17, 2015
So sorry to hear about Shelby's passing. He always had a smile.
Michal, I met you at the Greenview/Waveland park a few years ago. You were with Shelby and kids and I was with my now separated wife, Amy, and our kids. Turns out that we grew up down the street from each other in Petah Tiqvah. Alan Skidelsky
Julia, Ben & Foster Van Vliet
September 16, 2015
Dear Michal, Elan & Shira, Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. Shelby was a wonderful friend and neighbor who will be missed but will be in our hearts forever.
Laura April
September 16, 2015
Shelby was an amazing person and an inspiration for us all. We are all better for having known him. His joyful beautiful smile will live on forever.
With love,
The April family
Margaret Schreiber
September 16, 2015
When our kids started Kindergarten at CJDS, one of our first playdates was at the Lerner home. Shelby was so open, kind and fun to interact with...it was like I had just found a new old friend. I will forever value the time we shared together in our weekly Melton sessions. We have moved twice since that year and I wish there were more Shelby Lerners in the world. He was a gem - One of a kind. I am blessed to have known him and the world was blessed to have had him for as long as we did. Sending love to Michal, Elan & Shira and all of Shelby's family.
rebecca amend zakem
September 16, 2015
I met Shelby on a Jewish leadership board. He was down to earth, honest and a devoted Jewish community member. Then one day while working in the ER he was my patient7years ago! I remember that day vividly. Since then I have witnessed his strength, determination, humor and unstoppable positive attitude. He was a remarkable person with a family who matches his admirable qualities. Shelby leaves a legacy and in this time of sadness and grief may all the gifts he gave so many people be of comfort. He will be missed!
September 16, 2015
We mourn the loss of a great husband, father, son, brother, uncle and friend. May his memory be a blessing.
Sam & Ruthanne Rozenek
Los Angeles
September 15, 2015
God bless
Joel Williams
September 15, 2015
I am very grateful for my friendship with Shelby and for the time we had together. I had never met anyone as positive and encouraging in the face of adversity. I will never forget his laugh, his compassion, his perseverance, or the love he had for his friends and family.
Shelby's memory will continue to inspire me. I will miss him.
Maria Conticelli
September 15, 2015
I am so sorry to hear this sad news. I am grateful to have known Shelby, and I remember thinking so often, about what a wonderful father he was to Shira and Elan. He was kind and funny and playful, and children adored him. He will be missed by many. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends, especially Michal, Elan, and Shira. Sending love and light your way.
Jason Garino
September 15, 2015
We are so sad to hear of Shelby's passing. We'll always remember and admire Shelby for his positive attitude and outlook in the face of the fiercest adversity. A warm, loving and kind person. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.
Shelby Menely
September 15, 2015
We were so lucky to have been next door neighbors with Shelby and Michal all those years ago on Pine Grove. I remember how funny it was to have two Shelby's (of two different genders no less) living next door to each other! Even though we have been out of touch since our move to the suburbs 10 years ago, I will always remember what a happy and kind hearted person he was. Sending Michal and the kids our deepest condolences.
Karen Cohen
September 15, 2015
So very sorry to hear this sad news. I knew Shelby (and Michal) from the community at Anshe Emet. It has been almost 14 years since we moved away from Chicago, but I still recall gatherings at their home and Shabbat lunch conversations. Baruch dayan emet.
Kate Boon
September 15, 2015
I met Shelby years ago when we both worked at London House. We stayed loosely in touch through LinkedIn and Facebook, and I loved seeing the pictures of he and his family who he clearly loved more than anything. He was truly a loving spirit who brought such warm positive energy to any place he went and to all who he met. His passing is such a loss for this world. My deepest condolences to all of Shelby's family and friends.
Patti S
September 15, 2015
I was very sorry to hear of Shelby's passing and my thoughts and prayers are with you, his family. I worked with Shelby at SGK and we exchanged updates once or twice a year after he left. More than anything, when I think of Shelby, I will remember his kindness. He was a warrior in the battle he waged against cancer. He was (and will remain) an inspiration to many. My guess is that Shelby was not the kind of person to think of himself as a hero, but he was.
Camilla Waddilove
September 15, 2015
I am so sorry that Shelby has lost the battle, I know he went out fighting until the very end. My thoughts and prayers are with the entire family during this very difficult time. I have known Shelby since the first grade. We shared every class in elementary except for one, went to the sixth grade dance together, same junior high and high school, then SDSU and even coincidentally ended up living in the same dorm. We lost touch after college but then reconnected via social media. He sent me an email in February for my birthday and I wanted to share this quote with the family because it is beautiful and a true reflection of Shelby and his view of life. "One of the few benefits of my health is that one never knows how much they're loved until they go through a traumatic experience. I see people's true and authentic sides when I'm with them. Few people are shallow enough to be shallow around me when I'm dealing with the stuff I go through on a regular basis and knowing that I'm not going to be around forever. As they say, rich is the one who values their lot in life. We all have so much to be grateful for."
So long dear friend, you will be missed.
Love, Camilla
Lisa Ryba
September 15, 2015
Shelby and I have remained close friends from our days at Discover until his passing. l will miss him dearly; especially our long, deep discussions about everything and nothing at all. He was an amazing person; one I was proud to call a dear friend and I will miss him dearly and the cherished friendship we shared.
September 15, 2015
Shelby is an amazing father and have had many fun playdates, birthday parties and special school graduations with our children,
I saw first hand how loving he was as a father, a husband, and a friend.
He will be greatly missed by everybody. sending my love and prayers to his family.
Debbie Flapan
September 15, 2015
Michal, I was so sorry to hear about Shelby's passing. Shelby was always so friendly to us and wonderful with the children, he was a joy to be around. He will be greatly missed.
We're thinking of you.
Cathy Charlesworth Mejia
September 15, 2015
I met Shelby at an organizational development conference many years ago. He was a generous colleague always willing to share ideas and offer support. He had the most welcoming smile. He will be missed. My deepest sympathy to your family on this tragic loss.
Lisa Rosen
September 15, 2015
Shelby taught me so much but also made an incredible impact on the patients and families at RIC as a peer mentor. He imparted love, compassion and hope to lift the spirits of our patients even in their darkest moments. I admired his strength, positive attitude and willingness to help others. It never was about him, he wanted to help others and would have a story to share each time he came to visit. What an incredible man and I will miss him dearly.
Jennifer Baralli
September 15, 2015
Shelby and I became friends back in our JUF leadership days. What a fabulous, funny, friendly, smart, generous, thoughtful, & loving person to everyone's life he touched! I am forever changed by his friendship. Michal, Élan & Shira: he loved all of you to the moon and back and you were always included in every conversation! My heartfelt prayers and love go out to you at this time.
Annie Helms
September 15, 2015
We were so sorry to hear the news about Shelby. We always will remember him as a happy, caring, and positive person - and the best father, who all of the kids in Shira's classroom loved to see every day. We are thinking of you.
- The Helms Family (Annie, Paul, Paul and Tommy)
Lisa Fox
September 15, 2015
As previously noted, the best word to describe Shelby was obvious to everyone who knew him, a true mensch.
I am having a hard time speaking of him in the past tense because I believe his gifts of humor, love, strength and selflesness to be so true that his spirit and presence remains with all of us, that is an amazing legacy. May his wife and children someday be comforted in this unique and extraordinary legacy.
To know that he is also at rest is the other "comfort" I find in this great loss and I'm hopeful, his wife, Michal is in some way comforted and released from the battle she and Shelby fought together.
Much love to the whole Lerner family and the community who support them.
Nancy Dunlop
September 15, 2015
Shelby was one of the best men I ever met. His kindness, humor, and love will live on in his family and friends. Sending lots of love to Michal and the children.
Tina Nagle
September 15, 2015
Shelby was my peer at Discover Card. His smile and energy was contagious. His fight was admirable!
Jen Jobrack
September 15, 2015
Michal,
We were extremely saddened to hear about Shelby's passing. We know that he had been facing the cancer beast since our days together at the JCC. You two always seemed to face this enormous challenge with grace, strength, and love of each other and your family. Please know that you, Elan, Shira and your family are in our thoughts today and in the future. We hold you in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.
Gary Dickstein
September 15, 2015
My the wonderful memories of Shelby being such a "Mensch" make the sadness of his passing more tolerable!
Maggie Shreve
September 15, 2015
Shelby was invaluable in getting our Organization Development Network in Chicago back in the groove with great programs and terrific facilitators. He was an excellent OD consultant and I will miss his knowledge, wealth of resources, contacts and friends, as well as his humor. I am so sad...
Elissa Kagan
September 15, 2015
Shelby was one of the greats. A terrific man with a warm smile and gentle soul. He will be missed tremendously. Sending lots of love and strength your way.
Laura Senft
September 15, 2015
Shelby was one of the kindest, most thoughtful people I have had the pleasure of knowing. He had a huge heart and was always thinking of others. I am so fortunate to have had him as a friend. He was one of those people who was truly a light to all who knew him, and I am a better person for having known him. Sending much love to Michal, Elan, and Shira. Shelby's memory will truly be a blessing to all of us. Baruch Dayan HaEmet.
Juliet Sorensen
September 15, 2015
He was one of the kindest, sweetest people my husband and I have ever known. Devoted to his family, selfless and engaged with the world in spite of his long battle with cancer, Shelby was simply extraordinary. We will miss him hugely.
lisa fain
September 15, 2015
I'll miss his attention to the birthdays, anniversaries and smites of everyone he knew. I'll miss his smile and his dedication to Michal and the kids and our long friendship from the early dialogues days.
Showing 1 - 34 of 34 results
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Memorial Events
for Shelby Lerner
Sep
16
Service
1:30 p.m.
Anshe Emet Synagogue
3751 N. Broadway, Chicago, IL 60089
Funeral services provided by:
Goldman Funeral Group - Skokie Chapel8851 Skokie Boulevard, Skokie, IL 60077
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