Judith E. Frankel

February 8th, 2024

Judith “Judi” E. Frankel

~Dean A. Frankel

February 5th, 2024

We realize it is an impossible task to draft you a letter of our love, admiration, and memories in less than a three-volume book. And to tell you why you are the best. You have given so much not only to your family but to the world. We have been blessed with your years of wisdom in your exceptionally full and long existence in the physical world and for all who benefited. You have nurtured, reared, and guided four children totaling over 250 years of life. Each of us with uniquely challenging attributes. As kids you often made our lives easier. Your talks made us feel better. We did not understand at the time those talks of yesterday prepared us for tomorrow. The phrase “with age comes wisdom” was written for you. Your wisdom opened the flood gates for nurturing advice and appreciation.
We often reminisced about powdered milk you discreetly put in a milk carton. Your failed attempts to disguise liver as… well, we were never quite certain. As adults we now understand it was your intentions of being frugal without causing us undue discomfort.
Your love exhibited strength in comforting our failures and enhancing our successes. Your listening skills paired with unyielding patience were unparalleled, offering strong opinions and sound advice, often not what we wanted to hear but always with our best interests at heart.
You seldom were angry and never held a grudge. You were always proud of us even when we were not so proud of ourselves. Supportive of our interests and encouraging us to stay true to our passions. Who is better than mom knowing when something is wrong. No matter how many times you tell her, “Nothing!”
As kids you were counted on as the one who is standing beside us when everyone else had walked away. Who else could we count on when something does not look good on you or a decision needs challenging, you always rose to the occasion.
Who could we count on to always be there to remind everyone of anniversaries and birthdays. …mom. No small task with four kids, and too many grandchildren and great grandchildren to count without a calculator.
The counselor, the adviser, the elder statesperson of the family. A staunch Doctor Laura follower. What you did not realize is all the wonderful advice you marveled at with Dr. Laura, was conveyed to your kids, grandchildren, and significant others long before Dr. Laura’s teachings. Dr. Laura was merely confirmation of what you knew and imparted to us. You were far too humble to know or accept Dr. Laura’s advice was your wisdom repeated.
Engaging you in conversations about science fiction or astronomy held your attention for about 30 seconds. Discussing the depths of a meaningful movie, you were engaged for hours. And who can forget the conversations at night when your energy exceeded ours.
You could never make a decision without analyzing all permutations. Once analyzed…you still could not decide. However, everyone became the beneficiary of your exhaustive analysis. This allowed us to make a comprehensive informed decision keying off your tireless labor. Your laborious attempts to shop for clothes. You were tenacious and tireless. Days of non-stop shopping. In the end, what seemed an exercise in futility resulted in new clothing purchased on sale. The lesson… never give up.
Let us talk about people. Wendy the daughter. The mother daughter relationship. The closeness was truly an emerging love story until the end. Craig, the youngest son you sought to always protect and who came to your rescue in the end. Mark, and Dean, the practical middle sons you counted on for the business and clinical side of life. Giving you comfort in areas you did not want to challenge. Ed, who became the rainbow emerging from your grief. Ed, always by your side opening a new and wonderful chapter in your life. Ed with enduring patience during both good and challenging times. A blessing from above in times of your health challenges. Ed who gave you not only happiness but strength and security.
Your life and wisdom will have a perpetual influence on all the lives you touched and transcend to lives not yet born. Your soon-to-be-new great granddaughter will learn through the stories what a special mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to all you were.
Comments from the siblings’ friends…these are just a few. It is endless.
“Wow still struggling a bit that she is really gone 💔. One special mom!”
“I do not know how she remembered but she would call and check in to see how we were doing, whether it was a birthday, an anniversary, or just a typical checkup. She always wanted to know that we were all okay. We will miss that motherly touch in our lives. I will miss her answers, her advice. She could set me straight.”
“She will be sorely missed. Cherish the time and grateful for the long talks and Dr. Laura advice. “One special mom!”
“She was a really wonderful person and like a 2nd mom to me growing up. I have a lot of great memories of her.”
Thank you for being our guiding light, our source of strength, and the embodiment of unconditional love. Your legacy lives on in the lessons you shared and the love you showered upon us. May you find eternal peace, surrounded by the same love you so generously shared with us.
You are a mentor, a friend, a cheerleader but most of all, a mom. We are feeling the love despite your physical absence. Your influence on our lives continues to nurture us. Thank you for always believing in us and teaching us compassion by example. Thank you for being you. This is not a time to mourn. Orders from our mom. The most selfless, wise, and empathetic person we know. This is a celebration of life and a tribute to the lives you touched and a love that knows no bounds.

~Weny, Mark, Dean and Craig
~The Siblings, Schaumburg