Service Information

Service : Friday, November 7th at 10:00 am
Service Location: Shalom Chapel Service
Shalom Memorial Funeral Home
1700 West Rand Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004

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

Shiva Information

Shiva Information

The Family will be receiving calls of condolence at:
The Chernawsky Residence
4243 Yorkshire Lane
Northbrook, Illinois 60062

Following the service until 4:00 PM
Saturday 5:15 pm – 8:30 PM
Sunday 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Contributions
NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)
http://www.nami.org
or
Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation
http://www.lynnsage.org

Obituary

Roberta Chernawsky, age 78, passed away peacefully on November 4, 2025. Beloved wife, companion, and best friend of Howard for 53 wonderful years; loving mother of Sam (Meghan Reidy), Max (Kirstin), and Julie; cherished “Nai Nai” of Sylvan Reidy and Celeste Reidy Chernawsky; adored sister of the late Sherlene (Derek) Wlodarski and the late Adrienne “Addy” (Barry) Chernawsky; and devoted sister-in-law of Holly (Danny) Zivin and the late Roberta “Bobby” (the late Sandy) Isaacson. Treasured aunt, great-aunt, and friend to many. Family was the heart of Roberta’s life. She was devoted to raising her three children and committed to nurturing their educational attainments and social development. She adored her grandchildren and took great joy in spoiling them. Roberta was an especially tireless advocate for her daughter Julie and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), guiding others through life’s challenges with empathy and determination. She and Julie spoke several times a day, and Roberta proudly revitalized “Sunday’s at One,” a NAMI program of monthly outings that she grew to include more than 40 participants.

Strong-willed, outspoken, and deeply principled, Roberta dedicated her life to education and advocacy. When she set her mind to something, she gave it her all. A lifelong learner, she earned her Master’s Degree from National Louis University in her 50s and went on to teach with devotion at Solomon Schechter Jewish Day School for 14 years. Beyond shaping the minds of countless students, Roberta developed cherished, lifelong friendships with her coworkers.

Roberta had an insatiable curiosity and a passion for lively political discussions and current events, rarely leaving uncertainty about where she stood. A devoted Chicago Cubs fan, Roberta was thrilled to attend Game 7 of the 2016 World Series, fulfilling a lifelong dream. She was a passionate lover of music-especially The Beatles, Simon and Garfunkel, and Bob Dylan, all of whom she saw perform live. An avid traveler, she visited all 50 U.S. states and many international destinations. Roberta will be dearly missed by all who were fortunate to know and love her. Memorial donations can be made in her name to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness), www.nami.org or Lynn Sage Breast Cancer Foundation, www.lynnsage.org. Chapel service, Friday, November 7, 2025; 10 AM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment to follow at Shalom Memorial Park. For the link to view the service, shiva information, and to leave condolences: www.shalommemorial.org or (847) 255-3520.

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