Celebrating the life of Leah Marcus

Leah Marcus

February 22, 1936 - March 28, 2026

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Monday, March 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM

Graveside

Jewish Oakridge Cemetery
4301 West Roosevelt Road
Hillside, Illinois 60162
Get Directions

Clergy

Rabbi Max Weiss
Cantor Agnes Valdman
Oak Park Temple

Shiva

Marcus Residence
1102 Jackson Avenue
River Forest, Illinois 60305
Get Directions
Following the service until 8PM
Minyan 7PM
Tuesday 5PM-8PM
Minyan 7PM

Memorial Contributions

Oak Park Temple
www.oakparktemple.com
or
Magen David Adom
www.afmda.org
or
Planned Parenthood
www.plannedparenthood.org

OBITUARY

Leah Marcus, age 90, of River Forest, Illinois, died on March 28, 2026.

Leah was born on February 22, 1936 in Chicago to Betty (Bernstein) and Lou Nathanson. Leah was a graduate of Senn High School and the University of Wisconsin, where she co-edited the university’s award-winning newspaper with her dear lifelong friend Julie Baskes.

In 1961, she and Philip Marcus married. Together they enjoyed theater, Chicago’s comedy clubs (like Gate of Horn), dining (especially Ristorante Agostino), and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. They raised a close and loving family: Jonathan (Lorraine Applebey), Jessica (Howard Fishman), and Sarah (Jeff Fraum); grandchildren Matt Maenpaa (Zoe Streicker-Howard), Jacob Marcus, Benjamin Marcus, Sara Fraum, Zachary Fraum, and Dianarose (Sammy) Blivaiss; and great-grandchild Finn Maenpaa.

Leah was publicly engaged even as a teen and throughout her life, including serving as a page at the 1952 Democratic National Convention. After college, she embarked on a career of journalism and public service, writing for several trade publications and the Chicago Sun-Times. In the 1980s, she served as an elected member and ultimately president of the Oak Park River Forest High School District 200 Board of Education. In that leadership role and beyond, she earned widespread respect for her profound intellect, care, and exceptional abilities to listen, ask questions, understand, communicate, and empathize.

Leah is survived by her brother-in-law Charles Marcus and by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchild, and by many cousins, nieces and nephews, and their families, and by many dear and devoted friends.

A graveside funeral service will be held at Jewish Oakridge Cemetery, 4301 West Roosevelt Rd., Hillside, IL on Monday, March 30 at 1pm. Enter the cemetery through the Mannheim gate which is about 1/4 mile south of Roosevelt, then turn left at first road. Shiva will be at 1102 Jackson Ave., after the service with Minyan at 7:00 pm., and on Tuesday, March 31, from 5:00pm to 8:00pm, with Minyan at 7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, contributions to Oak Park Temple, Magen David Adom, and Planned Parenthood would be appreciated.

GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Leah Marcus below and we will share them with the family.

I've known Leah and her family since I was a little boy in Oak Park.

She was a woman of discernment and intelligence, and her graciousness, wit and wisdom were something special. Her main connection was with my late mother, Lorel Abarbanell, and her regular calls to my mom meant that I had the pleasure of speaking to Leah as well. I will miss her voice terribly.

Please convey my love to Sarah, Jessica, Jonathan and kol ha mischpocha.

Jonathan Pollack

Jonathan Pollack

March 30, 2026

Dear Cousins and family,
Thank you for the opportunity to "participate' in Aunt Leah's funeral.
Although it's been many years since I've seen your mother, Aunt Leah's passing has left a great void for all of us.
I remember her as a royal, intelligent lady but also warm, affectionate and caring.
My mother, Maureen, once made a comment saying that Leah is one of the smartest people she had ever met. Hearing that from my mother left a very strong impression on me since she didn't just throw around such sayings. At that point she was very involved in developing a computer program for ESL students learning English. (My dad was the progammer, she was building the materials.) She said that if leah were closer by, she would be able to consult her and gain from her insights, knowing that whatever she would say would be constructive.
The relationship between Leah and my parents was unique and meaningful. Dad appreciated your mother's phonecalls and looked forward to the frequent updates. I assume you know that she spoke to him a week before her passing as a farewell before parting from this world. He will miss her too.
May the light she brought to this world continue to shine and inspire us.
May you be comforted from Heaven and may we share happy tidings with each other in the future.
Love,
Naomi

Naomi Homnick

March 31, 2026

I met Leah after we moved to River Forest in 1975. I was elected a few years later to the River Forest Board of Education and looked up to Leah on the OPRF Board and the great work she did during her tenure there. Leah and I were part of RFEW, River Forest Elected Women! We were just a handful then, with Harriet Hausman and others. I will miss her very much.

Abby Schmelling