Funeral Details

Lorraine Rose Bercoon, age 97, died peacefully at her home on March 13, 2022. She and her late husband Norman moved into their Skokie home 53 years ago with their children, Joan and Marc, along with Lorraine’s late mother, Sarah Rose. Lorraine was born in Olean, NY on Feb. 22, 1925 to Irving and Sarah (nee Cohen) Rose. The family later moved to Buffalo where Lorraine finished high school. She made several lifelong friends there and developed close ties with many cousins who resided in Buffalo. She worked as a bookkeeper after graduation to earn money to go to college and was an inspector in a Chevrolet airplane parts factory during the war. She received a BA in business education from the University of Buffalo in 1947. Lorraine taught business subjects at Riverside High School in Buffalo until she and Norman married in 1953 and moved to Chicago. She taught at Moser Secretarial School until Joan was born in 1958. For many years Lorraine stayed home to care for Joan, Marc and her parents. She volunteered in her free time for the PTA, Independent Voters of Illinois, National Council of Jewish Women and Women’s American ORT. She was a devoted volunteer manager of the ORT thrift shop in Evanston for many years, which eventually became a highly profitable asset for the organization. Over the years, Lorraine stepped up as an attentive caretaker for her parents, her mother-in-law Sara Bercoon and her sister-in-law Ruth Dreymann when they suffered declining health. With Norman, Joan & Marc, she enjoyed yearly summer vacations including one very memorable trip to England & France. Norman & Lorraine subscribed to many seasons at the Chicago Symphony & Lyric Opera. They enjoyed dinners, plays, movies and the visual arts, especially when accompanied with their numerous friends throughout the years. They also traveled to Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Scotland, Italy and numerous destinations in the states. She was an encouraging, attentive & trusting mother to Joan & Marc. Once Lorraine became a grandmother, her entire world widened as she and Norman frequently visited their grandsons Nathan & Evan Berg in San Diego & their granddaughters Isabella, Olivia & Shelby Bercoon in Atlanta. All 5 grandchildren have wonderful memories of her calm, caring and loving interactions with them. Lorraine had a huge heart and will be greatly missed by her family and friends. She is survived by her beloved brother Henry Rose, her sister-in-law Norma Rose, her children Joan & Marc (Rhonda), her grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. Her family will forever be thankful for the caring devotion and attention she received from her caregivers, Agnes, Edna, Lily, Mimi and Fay. They were invaluable and essential for Lorraine’s safety and care in recent years. In lieu of flowers donations appreciated to the Jewish United Fund’s Ukraine Relief Fund, Ben Gurion Way, 30 S. Wells St., Chicago, IL 60606, www.juf.org. A Memorial Service Monday, June 6, 10AM at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd, (at Niles Center Road), Skokie. To attend the memorial service live stream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com