Judith Janet Halpern
November 11, 1945 - April 11, 2025
Interment - Private
Shiva
Bernstein Residence
2451 West Bradley Place
Chicago, Illinois 60618
Get Directions
Tuesday from 3PM to 9PM
And Wednesday from 5PM to 8:30PM
*Dietary restrictions-Kosher for Passover*
Parking Permits will be provided.
Memorial Contributions
Anti Cruelty Society
510 North La Salle Drive
Chicago, Illinois 60654
anticruelty.org/
OBITUARY
Judith Janet Halpern (nee Stern), age 79
Judith Janet Halpern died peacefully on April 11th surrounded by loved ones. She is survived by her husband, Samuel; children Beth (Dan) Bernstein and David Halpern; grandchildren Zoe and Jason Bernstein and Brianna and Brandon Halpern; great-grandchildren Olivia and Carter Lorenz; and sister Cindy Stern. She was preceded in death by her brother, Barry Stern.
Born and bred in The Bronx, Judi met her husband, Sam, when she was 16. At the time, she was dating Sam’s best friend, Roy. A fortuitous turn of events brought both young men to Judi’s apartment on an early summer evening, and after the men left, Judi turned to her mother and said, “That’s the man I’m going to marry.” Her mother, Helen, asked, “Roy? You haven’t known each other very long.” Judi responded, “No, Ma! Sam!” Judi and Sam married on October 24th, 1965 and would have celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary this Fall.
Shortly after marrying, Judi and Sam moved to Matawan, New Jersey where they raised their two children, Beth and David, and three dogs over the years: Tippi, Mitzi, and Katie.
Judi and Sam moved to Chicago in 2009 to be closer to their daughter, Beth, and their four grandchildren (two in Chicago and two in nearby Wisconsin). Never content to be empty-nesters, Judi and Sam adopted their fourth dog, Rocky. During her time in Chicago, Judi was actively involved in raising her grandchildren, regaling them with humorous family lore and cooking many homemade meals, highlighted by her famous “Sarah’s Country Chicken”.
Late in her life, Judi’s great-grandchildren were her most special joy, continuing to bring out her signature combination of warmth, empathy and goofiness.
May her memory be a blessing.
A private funeral service will be held the morning of Tuesday, April 15th. Shiva will be held at the Bernstein home (2451 W. Bradley Place, Chicago) between 3:00 PM and 9:00 PM on Tuesday, April 15th. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Anti Cruelty Society. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com