Adrienne Ehrlich Stern

August 19th, 2025

Adrienne, you were a force of nature. I so enjoyed your aquanastics classes, with a wonderful selection of oldies that made exercise more like dancing. You had so many stories to share, and people gravitated to you. I remember talking with you and Fran about Lakeside Michigan. Although you were there a few decades before me, we shared stories of the beach, the restaurants and memories of days gone by. We also grew up in the same neighborhood, Logan Square and we talked about that too. It was an honor knowing you and I’m glad you are now reunited with your beloved husband. God bless.

~Maggie Zalewski
~Friend, Niles, IL

August 19th, 2025

I have so many memories I cherish of Auntie and Uncle Chuck as well. I remember when Auntie and Uncle Chuck flew in to Colorado when I was little and how we went to the zoo for Halloween and either before or after that Auntie had helped me carve a pumpkin and had a great idea to use a carrot for the nose. I also remember all the times I visited Illinois and how we would have a family dinner with my grandparents when I was younger. She loved to take us to the deli with Uncle Chuck. After his passing, I went to visit with Auntie just by myself and we talked at length of the beautiful sculptures and art in her apartment and how I was so lucky to have a beautiful sculpture done of me that she gave to me. The notes she would send along with the jewelry inside candy tins to “prevent them from getting stolen” detailed the history behind the item of jewelry and why it was important to her and/or significant to our family. I promised her that I would keep them in the family just as she wanted. I will pass them along with their history as well. When my disabilities became too much for me to travel, Auntie and I opted for phone calls or even FaceTime video calls on occasion to keep in touch. We would try to talk at least once a week. No matter how busy she was or when she was hospitalized, she always made time to talk to me and tell me that she loved me, even if she couldn’t talk long. When she was in the hospital, she would complain about not having her makeup (especially her eyeliner) but that was the only thing that she would really complain of when there could’ve been so many other things. My world is definitely a darker place without her warm smile to brighten it up, but I do take comfort in having so many wonderful memories and moments with her. Auntie, I miss you with all my heart. I hope that you and Uncle Chuck will continue to watch over me and please know how much I love you.

~Joelle Miller
~Great niece, MD

August 19th, 2025

I will always hold a special place in my heart for Adrienne (& Chuck)–our great cousins.

My family took a road trip in the 1970’s–from N.Y. to Chicago–to visit my father (Sy Susswein’s) Chicago cousins who he loved. The occasion was Corey’s bar mitzvah. From the moment we arrived at Adrienne & Chuck’s home we were welcomed with big hugs.

While my father & his cousins would see each other annually when my father would visit during his business trips, the rest of our family only met for the first time on this trip. You would never know it. They were sooo loving and welcoming– but if you knew Chuck & Adrienne you wouldn’t be surprised.

Adrienne & I stayed in touch & I knew I could count on a fresh jar of City of Hope honey arriving in time for every Rosh Hashanah.

Years later, Adrienne & Chuck visited my husband, my young children & me in D.C. where we live & we picked up where we left off decades earlier. I tried to return a portion of the love and warmth showered on us by these two very special people.

I am so sorry for your deep loss Corey & Todd.
Adrienne will be missed and always loved.

Ruth Susswein Albert

~Ruth Susswein Albert
~great cousin, Chevy Chase

August 19th, 2025

I’m so incredibly saddened by her
passing. The world is such a lesser place. Talking to her a little over a week ago or so, and very concerned that the phlegm in her lungs seemed to have returned, she changed the subject after a bit of time toward fun things we had through the years…her amazing spaghetti squash, her incredibly tasty flank steaks, she even reminded me how my mother used to call her, knowing I was there spending time with Corey, and ask for Jimmy Stern. Indeed, I honestly did feel like I was her third son and I was honored to feel that way, for Chuck and Adrienne could not have been any more kind or loving in any capacity. I spent so much time there as a child and through college, living in their home for months at a time, and realizing why Corey and Todd were such a good men. All the times Corey and Todd saw me with their parents around the breakfast table, around the dinner table and invited to most every holiday celebration and pretty much everywhere else, even accompanying them to on vacation to Canada, and never once was there a hint of jealousy or anger from these two boys of the time that I spent with this wonderful family. I wasn’t an intruder as I first thought, but one who was accepted into their hearts, and I was careful to never to do anything to lose that gift they had so graciously given me. The Stern family was indeed something special.
Open arms of acceptance and kindness always came from Corey and Todd and that came directly from their parents. These wonderful young men had great teachers…
Adrienne had a light about her, and more than a few times I spent late at night around their round kitchen table telling both she and Chuck my dreams and fears as I grew into adulthood. It was remarkable to me that I would get calls out of the blue from Chuck or Adrienne in college, just asking me how I am and telling me they’re thinking about me. I addressed my holiday and birthday cards to her as “Mom II”. I made a mistake in my early 20s, and I remember Chuck and Adrienne actually raising their voices at me around that same kitchen table, telling me to get my stuff together and that I was a hell of a lot better than how I behaved. It struck deep, and I was shocked at how tough they were with me, and how right they were and it was a lesson learned that I so appreciated. Just before I left their home through their side kitchen door with that ever present loud, metal sounding screen door, Adrienne walked over and gave me a hug, and I realized that this amazing duo was different than any other couple I’ve ever met…Yes, they also knew what tough love was, and when to apply it but they always finished everything with a softer, gentler type of love.
Adrienne even called me up more than once, saying she had to run errands or go over and pick up Corey from somewhere and would I like to go with her to do that? I don’t know how, but she kind of knew I was a somewhat of a lonely kid and her heart was always big enough to wrap around so many of us that needed it.
She just had an amazing way about her…
She made me as a young kid feel important. She made me as a young kid feel part of something. She made me as a young kid feel loved. Her never-ending gift for listening and offering loving, kind advice was never lost on me. I’ve tried to pass on that same gift as learned, to those that I’ve met and I often feel that that is indeed, among the best things I can do to honor of the love that she taught me.
Lastly, when my parents passed on, my brother told me he wished he told my parents he loved him more often than he did. Even though I didn’t feel that way because my parents knew exactly how much I loved them, that lesson still never left to me and because of that, I told Adrienne and I loved her every single phone call and within the last month, I said something else to her which was a repeat of what I said months prior, and that was I was honored to know her and to love her and to be loved and treated like one of her sons. I thanked her again and made sure she heard me and that she heard me clearly. Some of the good that is inside of me came from her, and she knew I felt that way..
Blessings, my dear, Adrienne, I so hope to see you and Chuck again, someday. Thank you for all you done for who you were, to all of us.
Jimmy Stern

~Jim Caliva
~Loving friend, honored to be called her third son, West Linn, Oregon

August 18th, 2025

You were my Jewish grandmother — funny, spicy, full of life, and always ready with a story or a laugh. Growing up next door to you for 17 years was such a gift. I’ll never forget our parties, dinners, pool days, and all the little moments in between. You taught me the beauty of calligraphy, the magic of crystals, and the warmth of unconditional love — always leaving your lipstick stain on my cheek after every kiss. You will forever be in my heart. Love you and Chuck always.

~Anela Arabelovic
~Neighbor, Lincolnwood, Illinois

August 18th, 2025

Thank you for always being there for me. Your kindness and support meant more than words can say. Rest in peace. Love you always.

~Viki Arabelovic
~Friend, Lincolnwood, Illinois

August 16th, 2025

Mom and I are so saddened to hear about the passing of your beloved Mother. Our most sincere condolences and prayers to Todd and all in the family.

~Brian & Dee Jay Cooper
~Friend, Los Angeles, Ca

August 16th, 2025

I had the pleasure of meeting Adrienne on several occasions. She was always a bright light, kind and very passionate about her work with City of Hope. She will be missed!

~Jordana Glick-Franzheim
~Friend of Todd, Los Angeles, CA

August 16th, 2025

As a lifelong close friend of Todd, Adrienne has been a significant part of my life for as long as I can remember.

When I was a rowdy and annoying (I suspect) teenager, Adrienne was always kind and friendly. Our friend group was always welcome in Adrienne and Chuck’s lovely home.

Adrienne was always a presence in our beloved Lincolnwood. It was always clear that she loved our community and continuously made meaningful efforts to make it as nice as it could be.

Once I became an adult, I got to see Adrienne in a new light. She was a deep thinker and a fun person to talk with. And her laugh ? It was infectious.

Adrienne’ s soul was rich and complex.
If you met her, you never forgot her.
She will be missed.

~Ian
~Friend, Chicago, IL