Funeral Details

Rachel Louise Silverman nee Bilow, Age 87

Loving mother of Michael (Ellen Fiedelholtz) Silverman, Sheldon (Julie) Silverman and Dr. Miriam (Livia Ondi) Silverman.
Proud Bubbe of Jake Silverman, Graham Silverman, Arielle Silverman and Emme Silverman.
Dear sister of Gary (the late Michele Shoresmen) Bilow and David (the late Barbara) Bilow, and loving daughter of Irving and Gertrude Bilow.
Cherished sister-in-law to Steven (Cynthia) Silverman.
She will be missed by nephews Josh Bilow, Norm Bilow, Ben Bilow and the late Lee Bilow.

Rachel Silverman grew up on Juneway Terrace in Chicago, graduating from Sullivan high school, and attending a few semesters at the University of Illinois. She married Alan Silverman in her early twenties, having three kids in three years. She loved being a mom and cheered her children’s efforts and accomplishments, encouraging them to choose their own paths in life and explore the world. Rachel spent many afternoons at the Bernard Horwich Jewish Community Center hauling her kids to swim team practice for years and making lots of swim team friends. The friends of her children were all very fond of Rachel and particularly appreciative of her brownies and her interest in their lives.

While raising her kids, Rachel was also involved in building the Mayer Kaplan JCC in Skokie, where she became a board member. After getting divorced, she jumped headfirst into work, becoming a manufacturer’s representative, driving all across the Midwest to visit with her clients and customers. Rachel completely changed careers after a few years and began working in the senior community industry, rising to the position of executive director of a number of senior communities in the Chicago area and in San Diego. She also served as the Director of the Senior Adult program at Camp Chi in Wisconsin (she attended Camp Chi as a girl, and her children and grandchildren also attended Camp Chi). Rachel was also a long-time volunteer at Evanston Hospital.

Rachel Silverman had a positive impact on everyone she met. She laughed often and was the best, most encouraging audience for the comedy stylings of her children. She was an adventurous woman with an optimistic outlook. Rachel was kind and fun-loving, and her generous spirit made it easy to love and be friends with her. We will miss her.

Service Thursday 10AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. Interment private In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Camp Chi, 300 Revere Drive., Northbrook, Illinois 60062 giving.jccchicago.org/donatechi or Embracing the World M.A. Center, P.O. Box 613, San Ramon California 94583. amma.org/donate/ To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Chicago Jewish Funerals – The way it should be. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com

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