Muriel Doris Gerber

Grandma's Three Lessons

By Carly Gerber

06/25/2015
published in Oy! Chicago
http://goo.gl/A5RoiB

Father's Day marked one month since my grandma's funeral. Her passing was the first loss of a close relative that I have experienced. Rabbi Steven Mason, the outgoing senior rabbi of North Shore Congregation Israel in Glencoe, explained to my family while we were preparing for my grandma's funeral that a person's emotions during a time of grieving can be like a roller coaster -- one moment you're crying and the next you're laughing at a memory of your loved one. He was right. I went through bouts of tears knowing that the Sunday morning brunches I frequently spent at Country Kitchen in Highland Park with my grandma, her caretaker, Elizabeth, and my father were now only memories. Then I would laugh at a memory of Elizabeth not being able to remember something, to which my grandma's response was, "join the club." My grandma was an incredible woman. Through her actions, she taught me how to be the best possible version of myself. So I want to share three lessons I learned from her.

Lesson One: Family is everything

My grandma's world revolved around her family. She loved nothing more than to spend time with us. Through her genuine love, she's influenced me to spend more time with my family and be grateful for every moment I spend with them.

Lesson Two: Embrace your femininity and never stop learning

Even during her later years, my grandma never ceased to astound me with her impeccable sense of style, witty remarks, and thoughtful responses. She not only dressed with style, but she was also humbly brilliant. She's inspired me to be thoughtful in how I dress and act, so I always present the best possible version of myself.

Lesson Three: Smile and laugh with life

Every single time I saw my grandma, she was laughing and smiling. She handled with grace the twists and turns of her life. I'm so grateful to have watched this amazing woman face adversity with poise because she taught me that my reaction to life's curveballs is what defines me. Thank you, Grandma, for being a model of who a woman should be and for teaching me to never stop loving, learning and laughing.

Muriel Gerber

Muriel Gerber nee Sorkin, age 95, of Highland Park, passed away on May 21, 2015, in peace and surrounded by family. Beloved wife of Morrie Gerber for 65 years. Loving mother of Abby (Mark) Neumann and Larry (Laura) Gerber. Cherished grandmother of Ross Neumann, Phillip Gerber, Neal Gerber, Daniel Gerber and Carly Gerber. Dearly loved sister of the late Irwin (Regina) Sorkin and the late Adrienne (the late Edward) Solomon. Devoted aunt of many nieces and nephews. Treasured daughter of the late Rose and the late Jack Sorkin. Elizabeth Pumah, a women of incomparable friendship, whose generous and loving spirit compassionately cared for Muriel in her final years. Services were held Monday, May 25, 2015, 12:00 Noon at Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd, Skokie, IL 60077 (at Niles Center Rd.). Interment Shalom Memorial Park. Memorials in her memory may be made to North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Rd, Glencoe, IL 60022 or Chabad Jewish Center at University of Illinois, 509 S. Fourth St, Champaign, IL 61820. With love, her memory lives on through her family and friends. Information: The Goldman Funeral Group, www.goldmanfuneralgroup.com (847) 478-1600. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/chicagotribune/obituary.aspx?pid=174921269#sthash.ccpRM2xh.dpuf