Funeral Details

Joni Merfeld

July 16, 1952 - March 2, 2024

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Monday, March 4, 2024 at 10:00 AM

Service

Chicago Jewish Funerals
Buffalo Grove Chapel
195 North Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, Illinois 60089
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Clergy

Rabbi Sidney Helbraun
Cantor Adam Kahan
Temple Beth-El

Interment

Shalom Memorial Park
1700 West Rand Road
Arlington Heights, Illinois 60004
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Shiva

The Brian and Andrea Merfeld Residence
2302 Phillips Drive
Glenview, Illinois 60026
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Following interment until 5PM and from 6PM - 8:30PM with Minyan at 6PM

Tuesday from 6PM - 9PM with Minyan at 6PM

Memorial Contributions

Hadassah Chicago-North Shore
900 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 295
Northbrook, Illinois 60062
www.hadassah.org




OBITUARY

Joni Merfeld nee Alexander, age 71.

Beloved wife of Jim Merfeld. Dear mother of Brian (Andrea) Merfeld and Lindsey (Merrill) Gad. Proud Noni of Jordyn, Lexi, and Addisyn. Cherished sister of Dean (Margo) Alexander and Max (Sabina) Alexander.

Joni was an accomplished interior designer for over 50 years with a degree from the University of Maryland (’74). She was an avid Mahjong, scrabble, and crossword player. Joni was proud of her New England roots. She was a well-seasoned world traveler from an early age and her favorite destinations included Disneyland and Disneyworld. Her greatest joy was seeing the magic of Disney through her grandchildren's eyes. Among her favorite cities were Paris, London, Munich, Rome, Venice, and Vienna. As part of Jim’s graduate studies in Israel, she joined him in 1975 and again in 1977 before starting a family in Baltimore.

She was generous to her family and the many organizations she supported. She made yearly contributions to a wide variety of charities. Most of all Joni was a devoted daughter, mother, and grandmother. She collected friends like people collect baseball cards – opening a new pack everywhere she went. Her childhood in Connecticut, her midyears in Baltimore, before finally finding her home in Chicago. Joni was deeply loved by all who knew her and loved deeply in return.

Service Monday 10 AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 195 N. Buffalo Grove Road (One block north of Lake Cook Road) Buffalo Grove. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Hadassah North Shore Chapter 60 Revere Drive Suite 800, Northbrook, IL 60062 www.hadassah.org.

To attend the funeral live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals – Buffalo Grove Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Joni Merfeld below and we will share them with the family.
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Dear Jim, Brian and Lindsey, there are no words that I can express to you on the shock of Joni‘s passing. Since our move to Florida, Joni and I always talked about our roots in Baltimore. We played Mahjong for many years and shared many simchas together. Joni was mine and Gail‘s partner whenever we went on our mah-jongg trips we were known as the mah-jongg mamas.. We talked to late hours of the evening about our children.. we share so many memories together.. May Joni‘s memory always be for a blessing. sheila and Ivan.

Sheila Goldberg
March 3, 2024
Joni (and Jim) were our first friends when we moved to buffalo grove. So great to be their neighbors. We’ve remained good friends although separated geographically. She will be missed! Our heartfelt condolences to her family. ♥️

Lynn and bob Hammer
March 3, 2024
My dear brother Jim,
I remember meeting Joni in one of our first semesters at Maryland. You had told me the previous evening that you had met the perfect woman, and you were going to marry her. You met her in Astronomy class, and in your own inimitable way you said that “It was in the stars.” The following afternoon you brought her to my apartment and introduced her. You were so right.
Thus began a friendship of over fifty years, you, Joni and I. I was so happy to be your “Best Man” at your wedding. Or as I always said,”the second best man there. “ A few years later, Cindy joined us, and you stood up as a groomsman for our wedding.
Fifty four years have flown by as we matured and raised families, becoming the old guys. Joni was the light of your life, the oxygen in your room and the sparkle in your smile.. They say that we die twice, once when we physically die, and again when people stop speaking of us. She will never be forgotten because her blessed memories will live on in the words and deeds of those she touched. and loved. I am so very sorry that we have lost her.
And to Brian and Lindsey, Merrill and Andrea, Jordyn, Alexis, and Addyson, I offer this: I know what it’s like to lose a mother like Joni. Joni and my mom were two peas from the same pod. She will never be forgotten , and always remembered for the amazing, talented, wonderful loving woman that she was.

Eric DeVos
March 3, 2024
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. We will miss Joni playing mahjong every Thursday going to plays and of course out to dinners. We shared many mitzvahs.
She will be missed.
Fran and Barry Henry 💔

Fran and Barry Henry
March 3, 2024
Dear Jim, Brian, Lindsay and Family,
I was so sorry to hear about Joni’s passing.
My deepest sympathy to you and your family at this very sad time. I have so many memories of Joni and I will miss her very much. We shared a friendship for many years and our love for the game of Mahjong-so many fun trips together to many different cities through the years.
May Joni’s memory be a blessed memory for all of you
and all who knew her!
Molly Margulies

Molly Margulies
March 3, 2024
Steven and I will not be able to attend as in Arizona all month but will live stream sending our love via cybcyberspace to a great friend and stellar Mah Jong competitor!

Sheryl Rudy
March 3, 2024
Dear Jim, Lindsay,Brian and Family,
I was so sorry to hear about Joni’s untimely passing. I met Joni in Baltimore through Jill and we formed a bond playing mah jong for over 3 decades. We played mah jong weekly and went on yearly trips. We were the known as the Mah Jong mamas. We looked forward to our fun trips together.
We shared our family simchas over the years.
We have great memories with our times together.
So sorry for your loss and we will miss having Joni in our lives.
Susan

Susan Rosen
March 3, 2024
Dear dear family,
I am numb and devastated to hear and feel this loss!
My friendship with Joni began at age 14 when I was the new girl at the school. Her warmth and smile welcomed me and that was how we began years of friendship.
Geographically as adults never in the same place but we shared our Love for each other and our hearts !

We laughed and we cried over the years together and I always knew that our friendship was very special.
She will be with each of you forever as she will be for me!! She was so special.. rest in peace my sweet girl!
With love,
Michelle Rosen

Michelle Rosen
March 3, 2024
At a new parent meeting at Stevenson High School, Joni turned around to me to say hello, and thus, our friendship began. I will miss her kindness and warmth. May her memory be a blessing.

Jane Sidoti
March 3, 2024
Dear Jim, I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your precious Joni. May her memory be a blessing .

Lori Lapping
March 4, 2024
So sorry to hear about Joni. May her memory be for a blessing.

Phyllis Lederman
March 4, 2024
Jim, Brian, Lindsay,

Howie and I were deeply saddened to hear of Joni's death, and feel so sorry that such a lovely woman was taken from you so early in life.
It was our pleasure to have shared those special moments in ": show business" with her, and all the fun that we had.
Keep all of your memories tucked in your heart and she will always be with you.

Jodi helped me pick out some furniture also and was so kind and patient.

May She Rest in Peace.

Andi and Howie Cohen






Andi and Howie Cohen
March 4, 2024
Jim, Brian, and Lindsey,

I don't even know how to express my sympathy to you. Friends for over 45 years, first as neighbors, then playing Mah Jongg together, sharing simchas. We shared a lot and I will always remember the wonderful times we spent together. Joni was a dear friend that will be missed by all who knew and loved her. I especially remember surprising her for 50th birthday just days after my mom passed away. The look of joy on her face will stay with me forever.

My deepest condolences and may Joni's memory always be for a blessing.

Jill and Lou Sapperstein
March 4, 2024
To Jim & Family
Deepest sympathies on the loss of Joni, beloved wife, mother & grandmother. We were friends from Hadassah’s Baltimore
Tikvah group for many years until your family relocated to Chicago. She put together a Passover cookbook with Linda Schneyer under my Presidency that is still used by many of us.

May the memory of good times shared be a source of some comfort…

Sheila Fechter
March 4, 2024
Our hearts are broken for your ubelieveably tragic loss of the amazing Joni. We are sending our sincere prayers to the whole family. We will miss Joni's wonderful supportive energy.We remember all the great times we had together from attending plays, dining at restaurants, sharing holidays and other times sharing life in Illinois. Love, Rachel & Bob Ragland

Rachel and Bob Ragland
March 5, 2024
Dear Jim, Brian, and Lindsey,
How do I say goodbye to my giggle buddy Joni? We shared a close and special friendship for over 40 years. We shared so many memories together. I am so thankful that I visited last year in Chicago and we had a wonderful week. We met in Hadassah and became best friends. We coedited 2 Passover cookbooks and held other fun activities at our meetings. Joni was a very loving, nonjudgmental, and organized person. She loved people. She was a social butterfly, a loving wife , mother, and Nona. We shared happy times and sad times. I will miss her so much.

Linda Schneyer Reines.


Linda Reines
March 5, 2024
I was so sad to learn of Joni’s passing from Judy Alexander Parnasa. I was a childhood friend from West Hartford. Joan was always a kind person. I will remember her beautiful long hair and her artistic talents. May her memory be a blessing.

Marjie Jacobson Zivyon
March 9, 2024
We are so sorry to hear of Joni's passing. i have many fond memories of mah Jong games, lunches and special occasions. She was a special person to all who knew her and will be greatly missed.

Dee and Joel Probisky
March 16, 2024