Renee Kahn

Service : Sunday, August 30th at 12:15 pm
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

Jason and Laura Kahn Residence
4203 Yorkshire Lane
Northbrook, Illinois 60062

Sunday following the service to 8 PM

Shiva Coordinator
If you wish to contribute toward shiva,
Randi Berger
Venmo: @randi-shivaldies
Zelle: shivaladies@gmail.com

Please contact Randi at the Shiva Ladies at (773) 742-2702 for any questions.

Contributions
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to
Dementia Society of America at http://www.dementiasociety.org.

Renee Kahn, 86, beloved wife of the late Edward Kahn and devoted parter of Elliot Bolotin; loving mother of Michael (Natmon), Andrew (Chariti), and Jason (Laura) Kahn; cherished Grandma Nay of Erica, Spencer, Vivian, Eli, and Avery; devoted daughter of the late Helen and Max Jacob; dear sister of the late Barbara (Dale) Verkuilen; adored aunt, cousin, and friend of many.

Renee had an infectious smile, endless positivity, and a warmth that drew everyone around her in. She was a lover of people and of life. Born and raised in Chicago on the near west side, Renee attended public school and spoke often about the friends and activities that enriched her childhood and adolescence. As a girl, she enjoyed back stoop conversations with her dear friends Joyce and Myrna, activities and parties at the JCC, and riding the streetcar downtown to the movie theater every Saturday. When she turned 12, Renee was gifted a sewing machine by her Grandma Rose and with it, began a lifelong love of sewing. Combining this with her creativity and fashion sense, she did more than just sew, she designed and created her own clothing.

In 1958, she graduated Roosevelt High School and started her professional life working at CBS Radio Chicago as an executive assistant, a role she held at various companies in the Chicagoland area until her retirement in the early 2000’s. In 1965, she married Ed, who she affectionately called Eddy, and they took up residence in the suburbs, first in Des Plaines, then in Mount Prospect and, later, Buffalo Grove. During that time, she had three sons—Michael, Andy, and Jason. She loved being a mother, was actively engaged in her children’s lives, and often remarked that raising three boys was not for the faint of heart. “I would come home from work to a ball of boys wrestling together on the floor, so entangled I couldn’t tell who was who!” Renee was the ultimate loving caregiver to her family, nurturing her boys to be kind, caring men, and staying forever by Eddy’s side through illness until his death, in 1995.

After Ed’s passing and with the boys grown, Renee found renewal and inspiration in traveling the world. She loved learning first-hand about other cultures, had a zest for adventure, and was blessed with the vitality and energy of a much younger person well into her 70’s. Renee loved everything from cruising the oceans to touring European art museums. Among many others, she relished the vibrancy of Argentina, the romanticism of Paris, the historical artifacts of China, and her religious connection to Israel.

In Elliot, she found a kindred spirit. In addition to more travel, they built a life together in both Chicago and Phoenix, living as snowbirds for more than a decade.

Core to Renee’s identity was her connection to Judaism. A longtime member of B’nai Jehoshua Beth Elohim (BJBE ) temple, Renee felt a strong sense of belonging within the Jewish community. Having been raised in a culturally Jewish but non-practicing household, Renee was not Bat Mitzvah’ed at the traditional age of 13. Fulfilling a lifelong desire, Renee took up Torah study, eventually becoming a Bat Mitzvah in in her 60’s. Renee was an active member of Hadassah for many years, modeled Jewish values, and made a mean kishka.

Renee was a woman of endless creative talents. She studied at the Chicago Art Institute and regularly took classes from local experts. She created art in countless mediums, including beautiful oil and acrylic paintings on canvas. Having an eye for design, texture, and color, she was often called upon by friends and family to help with interior design and household decorating projects. She refinished and reupholstered furniture, was masterful at hanging wallpaper, and could turn a thrifted shirt or dress from Goodwill into a beautifully remade piece that looked dazzling on her. But more than any other of her endeavors, the jewel in Renee’s creative crown was her custom chuppah business, Arkay Chuppah Creations, which she owned and operated for over 10 years during her retirement. Refashioning vintage wedding gowns, often from cherished family members, Renee created one-of-a-kind, custom wedding chuppahs for dozens and dozens of brides and grooms. These custom chuppahs were made with the intent of honoring the past while creating a sacred heirloom that could be handed down to future generations. Arkay Chuppah Creations was the beautiful marriage of Renee’s creativity/artistry with her deep belief in the values of family, love, and tradition. There was no more perfect a “second act” for Renee than this.

Well, maybe there was one other, perfect, “second act” for Renee—and that was being a grandma. Renee’s five grandchildren, whom she adored, were the recipients of her many gifts and talents. Renee shared that which she loved most with them: a love of seeing distant lands and new places, a thirst for engaging one’s culture and belief system, a desire to experience art and creativity in all its forms, and a love for one’s family that is unconditional and never-ending. She regularly organized and funded family vacations, hosted many a Passover Seder, and introduced her grandchildren to theater.

Her love ran deep, her spirit was vivacious, and her heart was always open. This legacy will live on in her grandchildren, and their children, for many years to come.

She will be forever missed, never forgotten, and always in our hearts. May you rest peacefully. We love you, Renee.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Dementia Society of America at www.dementiasociety.org. Chapel service Sunday 12:15 PM at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home, 1700 W. Rand Road, Arlington Heights. Interment Shalom Memorial Park. For the link to virtually view the service, shiva information and to leave condolences, www.shalommemorial.org and (847) 255-3520.