Obituary

Erika M. Gitner Leib, nee Hollander, 101. Erika was a Holocaust survivor, but didn’t like to talk about it, because that was far from the most interesting thing about her. She lived a beautiful life and questioned why anyone would want to hear about such a bad part of it. Despite the tragedies of her youth, she was one of the most optimistic and life-affirming people anyone could ever hope to meet. She loved art, books, movies, good food, spending time with family, and the occasional scotch on the rocks with a lemon twist – glass of soda water on the side. Beloved wife of the late Mandel Leib; devoted mother of Geoffrey (Jennifer) Gitner and the late Linda (the late Buddy) Dunne; cherished grandmother of Claudine (Josh) Liss, Matthew (Fabio) Dunne, Michael (Anna) Gitner, and Seth (Hannah) Gitner; proud great-grandmother of Liza, Lev, Lily, Kirk, and Bodie; will be missed by cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to JSSA, www.jssa.org, 200 Wood Hill Road, Rockville, Maryland 20850. Chapel service Friday, January 2, 2026, 2:30PM, at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Rd, Arlington Heights. Interment to follow at Shalom Memorial Park. For a link to view the service and to leave condolences: www.shalommemorial.org or 847-255-3520.

Service Information

Service : Friday, January 2nd at 2:30 pm
Service Location: Shalom Chapel Service -Shalom Memorial Funeral Home

Interment:
Shalom Memorial Park
1700 W. Rand Road
Arlington Heights

Guest Book & Memories

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January 27th, 2026

Erika was a very special person . I knew her for over 60 years. I met her when I was 13 years old at a country club in Chicago and then again in our Florida condo . She truly enjoyed her active life. She will be missed.

Laura Weiner Singer

~Laura Weiner Singer
~Friend, Aventura ,Fl

January 6th, 2026

Erika has been a loving, dear friend to us for the past 50 years. She was like a “grandmother” to our children from the time they were born. She had a positive view on life and knew how to enjoy herself. We loved seeing and being with her in Chicago and Florida. She will be sorely missed for her loving, caring personality. We loved her very much.

Ellen and Marvin Sotoloff

~Ellen and Marvin Sotoloff
~Friend, Highland Park, IL

January 1st, 2026

Met Erica and Manny while living at Edgewater apartments. Always impressed by her European charm, beauty, intelligence, and kindness. Never let her life obstacles interfere with her zest. After relocating and aging, she would still call us inviting us to Florida. Her red hair will live in my heart and head forever.
Joel and Sherri Nemirow

~Joel and Sherri Nemirow
~Friend/Neighbor, Chicago, Illinois

Guest Book and Memories











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