Funeral Details

Pearl Zaid

January 11, 1933 - August 9, 2024

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Service

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Skokie Chapel
8851 Skokie Boulevard
Skokie, Illinois 60077
Get Directions

Clergy

Rabbi Michael Schwab
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

Interment

Westlawn Cemetery
7801 West Montrose Avenue
Norridge, Illinois 60706
Get Directions

Shiva

Max and Benny's
461 Waukegan Road
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
847.272.9490
Get Directions
Tuesday 4PM-8PM

Memorial Contributions

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park
1175 Sheridan Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
www.nssbethel.org/donate/
or
North Shore Senior Center
161 Northfield Road
Northfield, Illinois 60093
www.nssc.org/support-us
or
Chicago Botanic Garden
1000 Lake Cook Road
Glencoe, Illinois 60022
www.chicagobotanic.org/donate





OBITUARY

Pearl Anne Zaid - A Life Well-Lived: Pearl Zaid, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, educator, artist, avid runner, and gardener, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2024 the age of 91.
Born January 11, 1933, Pearl lived a life filled with passion, purpose, and an enduring love for learning. A true inspiration, she juggled the responsibilities of motherhood and full-time employment while pursuing higher education. Her determination led her to earn both a bachelor’s and master’s degree, a remarkable achievement that paved the way for a fulfilling career as a special education teacher. Her dedication to her students was immeasurable, and she was deeply respected and cherished by her colleagues.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Pearl possessed a vibrant artistic soul. She studied at the Art Institute of Chicago, and her talent as an artist brought joy to many. She continued her artwork throughout her life, most recently at the North Shore Senior Center, and would create paintings for exhibitions, and for friends and family. Pearl was also an accomplished athlete. She was a lifelong runner and often won age group awards when she raced. Pearl continued running well into her late 80s.
Pearl always enjoyed experiencing different cultures, and she travelled the world with her life-long love and late husband Pinhas “Pinky” Zaid.
Her love for nature was evident in her beautiful gardens. She was a devoted volunteer at the Chicago Botanic Garden, where she shared her expertise as a master gardener.
Pearl found comfort, joy, and community as a long time member of North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park.
Pearl was a cornerstone of a large, loving family including three children, Gary (Debby), Rena (Jed), and Wendy (Adam), her brother Richard (Leslie), her sister Paula (Peter), and her late sister Esther (Lewis), as well as a deeply cherished circle of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins. She adored her family and friends. Her great sense of humor, her ability to tell stories and always entertain the kids, and her unwavering support of family and friends will be missed by all who knew her.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations:
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El in Highland Park www.nssbethel.org/donate/
North Shore Senior Center www.nssc.org/support-us
Chicago Botanic Garden: www.chicagobotanic.org/donate
Service Tuesday 10AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment Westlawn Cemetery. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals-Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Pearl Zaid below and we will share them with the family.
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Pearl was a valued member of NSS Beth El and she will be missed by many! I enjoyed getting to know her a few years back when we both enrolled in a Hebrew class. She was a devoted student and wonderful friend to many!

Marcie Pickard
August 11, 2024
I loved my aunt pearl very much, she and Pinky were part of our family in Israel, and we were blessed to have them in our lives. Pearl always brought so much love and kindness. I hug all our cousins and send all the family my thoughts and condolences!

Eyal Zaid
August 12, 2024
Pearl was my friend for more than fifty years. Though not related by blood, we were like sisters just the same. We shared our experiences, memories, and emotions. I admired her deep devotion to family, friends, and community. I will miss her very much.

Bobbie Moya
August 12, 2024
I knew Pearl for a number of years first through the Highland Park Senior Center art class and then at the North Shore Senior Center art studio. I already miss her. Her courage and determination to keep painting after her first bad fall was an inspiration. She was an excellent artist. We were planning on getting a group together for another lunch. It’s so sad to think that will now not happen.

There’s something for which I was very grateful to Pearl. One time at the Highland Park art class everyone was discussing how they met their husbands. I was having severe problems in my marriage (we later separated) and told everyone I did not want to talk about this. But people kept pushing me to say something, making me very uncomfortable. Finally Pearl firmly told everyone to leave me alone. If Marie doesn’t want to talk about her husband it’s up to her, she said. It was a kindness I greatly appreciated.

Please accept my sincere condolences. Pearl was a unique and wonderful person.

Marie Lutz
August 13, 2024
I met Pearl a few years ago at the art studio at North Shore Senior Center. I quickly experienced her warmth, friendliness and talent. Her determination to continue painting and enjoying life was an inspiration. I will miss Pearl’s beautiful smile and seeing her at the studio every week very much. She will be missed by all. My sincere condolences to her entire family.

Renee Werner
August 13, 2024
I met Pearl when she came to Beth El. When I asked her where she went to shul before moving she said Sha'are Tikvah in Chicago. Then I discovered she knew my cousins the Handelmans. I was able to relay a hello to my cousin from Pearl.
Pearl was always smiling and also famous for never knowing where she left her walker. I often had fun with her looking around to see if I could help point her in the right direction. We had some laughs together. She was a beautiful lady and i will forever be grateful for meeting her.

Joyce Kamen

Joyce Kamen
August 13, 2024
I met Pearl 2 or 3 years ago at North Shore Senior Center at the Art studio I She was always very friendly, joking and smiling to everybody. I admire her art work ! She was very talented artist. She enjoyed her life and you could see that in her artwork. I will miss Pearl’s greeting, jokes and beautiful smile.
My sincere condolences to her family.

August 13, 2024

Nina Summo
August 13, 2024
I worked with Pearl at the Chicago botanic Garden in Planten information and when she was unable to drive, I would pick her up and take her home as we worked many shifts together. We talked about many things in Jewish life and I heard about her whole family as well as her son who is a physician. May her memory be a blessing. I was blessed to know her and work with her.

Jerry Lewis
August 13, 2024
My wife Sema and I only knew Pearl for the 6 years we lived down the hall from her condo. We enjoyed kidding each other when we passed in the hall or attended a condominium board meeting. If it was just I who passed her in the hall, she would always ask about how my wife was. Her sense of humor was golden.

Robert Bogdan
August 13, 2024
I always enjoyed volunteering at the Chicago Botanic Garden with Pearl She had a great sense of humor, and did not miss a trick. Pearl is/was a woman of valor; may her memory be for a blessing.

Amy Lewitz
August 13, 2024
I’ve known Pearl since I was around 11/12 years old. Our families lived across the street from each other and did so many things together, even spending summer weeks together in Michigan City, IN by the beach. Pearl was my mentor who guided me through adolescence like a big older sister. I’d spend many hours at the Zaids, watching Pearl play guitar, draw, write out her holiday cards, listen to records, and work in her garden. I was grateful she let me hang out with her and just drop in as she was my inspiration, always welcoming, always smiling and laughing.
I am so thankful we stayed in touch all these years. I’ll miss hearing her call me Beryly, seeing her beautiful face and wishing I could exude such joy. Pearl was one of a kind and my heart goes out to her entire family. She was a remarkable woman.

Beryl Cook
August 13, 2024
Baruch Dayan Emet. Condolences to the entire family.

Judith Lifshutz
August 14, 2024
Our dincere condolences. Your motherwas lovely and a joy to see every shabbos. She will be missed

Merle and sheldon Rosenfeld
August 18, 2024