Obituary

Mala Joseph (nee’ Lampart), 100, passed away peacefully on May 28, 2026. Beloved wife and best friend of the late Cy for 59 wonderful years; loving mother of Natalie (Philip) Levin and Marc (Robin); cherished grandma of Brian (Talia) Levin, Michelle (Roger) Barak, Bradley (Lauren) Joseph, Michael (Courtenay) Joseph and Josh Joseph; adored great grandma of Madison & Jordan Levin; Judah, Maya & Jacob Barak; Corey, Taylor, Dylan, and Andie Joseph; much loved sister of the late Lida (the late Morrie) Joseph and the late Eda (the late Max) Gottheimer; treasured aunt of Rose (Arthur) Rosenwach and Holocaust survivor whose life reflected extraordinary resilience, courage, and compassion. Born in Poland in 1925, she endured the horrors of the Holocaust and survived unimaginable loss during World War II at a very young age. Despite the hardships faced in early life. Mala rebuilt a future grounded in hope, family, education, and service to others. Mala married her beloved Cy in Stockholm, Sweden, where they lived for seven years before immigrating to Chicago in 1952 to begin their family. Once in Chicago, they lived in several neighborhoods throughout the city before settling in Lincolnwood. In 1960, Cy and Mala opened Joseph’s Mart, a grocery store that first operated on Chicago’s west side before relocating to Des Plaines. Mala and Cy were tireless workers who, together with their children, devoted themselves to the store seven days a week. Mala and Cy were also active members of the New Citizen Club, a Holocaust survivors group that fostered friendship, remembrance, and support among fellow survivors. After retiring, Mala-well into her 70s-joined Cy and her son Marc at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, where they courageously shared their testimony to ensure that the lessons of history would never be forgotten. Through her strength, kindness, and unwavering spirit, Mala taught those around her the importance of dignity, perseverance, compassion, and humanity. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. Memorial donations in Mala’s honor may be made to the Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center. Chapel service Sunday, May 31, 2026, at 10:30 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, please visit www.shalommemorial.org or call (847) 255-3520.

Service Information

Service : Sunday, May 31st at 10:30 am
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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May 31st, 2026

I’ll never forget when I was sick as a teenager, and had an operation at the mayo clinic, my aunt, Mala stopped everything and came to the mayo clinic to be with me and my mom.

~Rose and Arthur Rosenwach
~niece, Las Vegas

May 31st, 2026

Mala’s family was part of our extended family. My parents, Allen and Anna, were best friends of Mala and Cy and Lida and Morrie since their time in Sweden following the horrors of WWII. We were basically raised together with Natalie, Marc, and Rosemary. Our fathers and mothers were all fast friends and the women simultaneously became blonde during the Marilyn Monroe era. I remember Mala as most beautiful with a great sense of humor and intelligence. At one time our parents owned a laundry on the South Side (which they knew nothing about) that managed to blow up somehow. After that our parents went into the grocery business respectively and stayed there until they retired. My early recollections of my youth are intertwined with the Joseph’s and it seemed that we spent every Sunday at each other’s houses for many years.
Whenever we saw Mala she was poised, chatty, and funny. There never has been anyone in history compared to Mala and her cohort of Holocaust Survivors. May you be inscribed amongst the mourners of Zion and Jerusalem.

~Paul & Ziva Kredow
~Family Fruends, Highland Park

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