Marlene Eleanor Lassman

Marlene Eleanor Lassman nee Kobernik, age 82.

Beloved wife of Daniel Lassman. Loving mother of Carie (Tony Malcoun) Lassman, Matthew (Megan) Lassman, and Rebecca (Carter Roeber) Lassman. Most magnificent Mamie of Lucy and Harry Malcoun, Penelope, Ruby and Olive Lassman, Oscar and Trudy Roeber, and the late Eddie Malcoun. Devoted sister of the late Francine (Paul Pershin) Rovell and Howard Kobernik. Marlene was a true force of nature, endlessly generous and loving to all who met her. She was charming, hysterical, and lived life on her own terms. Marlene sang opera and was the only white woman in a gospel choir in Evanston. She earned a master's in early childhood development (Erikson Institute '94) and volunteered to work with at-risk mothers in crisis. She maintained life-long relationships with the women and children she mentored. She was by their side as they grew for decades. While hired as an employee, Marlene refused to be paid, and donated her salary back to the women and children she mentored. She was a tutor at 826CHI where she taught reading and writing to children. She became their instant grandmother, and them, her instant grandchildren. Marlene fiercely loved her family, her friends, her dogs, her many guinea pigs, and last but certainly not least, candy. She was an intellectual who devoured literature and a gourmet cook. She loved nature - but only from the indoors. Marlene was magnificent, unlike anyone else. Her infinite empathy, insight, and warmth, will live on in the hearts of everyone and everything she touched. She was magic. Interment Private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Save the Children 501 Kings Highway East, Suite 400, Fairfield, CT 06825 www.savethechildren.org and Doctors Without Borders www.doctorswithoutborders.org. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com