Funeral Details

Joan O. Harelik, loving wife of the late Dr. Richard Harelik; beloved mother of Anya (Victor) Viner and Justin (Melanie) Harelik; cherished sister of Barbara (late Yosef) Glimer and Dr. Allen (Patty) Oliff; proud grandmother of Ricki, Max, and Sam Viner, and Sophia and Marley Harelik; and loving aunt, cousin, and friend to many.
Born in Chicago in 1942 to Meyer and Sylvia Oliff, Joan had an artistic eye, appreciated elegance, and was fiercely independent. She left Chicago for California at 17 after graduating from Sullivan High School. She earned both her undergraduate degree and a Master of Fine Arts degree in ceramics from the University of Southern California. Joan was a gifted ceramics artist, designer, and decorator. She taught and worked as an interior decorator in the Los Angeles area and expressed her creativity throughout her life. She also loved knitting, especially making sweaters and other handmade gifts for her grandchildren.
After spending many decades in California, including 50 years in Brentwood, Joan returned to the Chicago area five years ago to live with her daughter and her family. She loved to travel and embraced adventures that spanned the globe. During the last five months of her life, she resided at North Shore Place in Northbrook, and her family is deeply grateful for the community, support, and care she received there.
Service Friday at 10 a.m. at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment: Zion Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to American Friends of Magen David Adom, 3175 Commercial Drive, Suite 101, Northbrook, Illinois 60062 (www.afmda.org), or to Jewish Broadcasting Service. P.O.B. 360, Stamford, CT 06904 (www.jbstv.org). To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847-229-8822, www.cjfinfo.com.