Obituary

Adele Gutman, age 96, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2026. She had a smile that could light up a room and loved to share a meal, a story and a laugh with her large circle of family and friends. She was born in Dover, Delaware and attended the University of Delaware where she fell in love with her husband, Dr Arnold Gutman. Graduating with a theatre major, Adele directed and acted in plays, with “The Solid Gold Cadillac” being her favorite. A dazzling beauty, she was a runner up in the Miss Delaware beauty pageant and later appeared on television shows including “The Ed McMahon Show” at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia where she worked as a copywriter. When Adele and Arnie moved to the Chicago area with their 3 small children, Adele focused on raising the family, still staying active in community and social organizations. She served as President of Chicago’s North Shore branch of the American Association of University Women, and volunteered at the Hadley School for the Blind, where she was later employed in the student services department. Adele was the beloved wife and best friend of the late Dr. Arnold Gutman, and a loving mother of Brenda (Cory Berish) Smith, Steven (Catherine), and Daniel (Diane). Adele was a cherished “G-Ma” to Andrew Smith, Julia (Andrei) Dragni, Amy Gutman, Alec (Mashiat M) Gutman, Lana (Richard C) Copeland, Charlie Copeland, and Lucas Gutman, and a much-loved great-grandmother to Alina and Andrei. Adele was truly a beautiful woman who made friends easily, was always active and social, and greatly enjoyed good company and a good meal. She will be dearly missed by her friends and extended family. Memorial donations in her honor may be made to the charity of your choice. Chapel service, Friday, January 23, 2026; 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.

Service Information

Service : Friday, January 23rd at 10:00 am
Service Location: Shalom Chapel Service -Shalom Memorial Funeral Home

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

Guest Book & Memories

Share your memories and photographs below.

January 26th, 2026

I met Adele at Hadley where we worked together years ago. She was always welcoming, nice and such a beautiful person! Occasionally, I would visit her when Julie came into town. Adele was always as beautiful and easy to be around as she had been since the very first time I met her.
Adele is one that will be truly missed.
I was blessed to have known such an incredible woman!
Rest in Peace Adele!

~Karen Woodfork
~Friend, Hoffman Estates, Il

January 23rd, 2026

Our family met Adele and Arnold in 1999 when we just came to this country. We have such fond memories of attending their annual gatherings for Memorial Day, 4th of July and so many lovely shared meals over the last 35 years! We admired Adele’s warmth, caring, wit and sense of humor.. we will miss her dearly and we are eternally greatful for her friendship. May her memory be a blessing

~Elizabeth Mirkin
~Friend, Skokie

January 23rd, 2026

Adele and Judy Roberts of Seattle were first cousins of my mother, Sherie (Simon Gamberg Vaughn), and she had lots of stories, especially of childhood and teenage adventures. When our daughter Lisa went to Northwestern 2004-2008, we were able to connect with Adele in person. She even stored some of Lisa’s winter clothes over summer break! My mom enjoyed Facetime and zoom calls with Adele and Judy during Covid. And it meant a lot to our family to have Adele and Brenda when our mother passed in 2021. May Adele’s memory be a blessing to you all.
Love,
Andy and Bob Snyder, Brian and Juliette, Jill Snyder, Lisa, Alex, Anastasiya and Nadiya Tkalych

~Andy Gamberg Snyder
~first cousin, twice removed, Honolulu, Hawaii

January 22nd, 2026

I met Adele through my parents & uncle. Since I had driven her to dinner once, we were able to catch up 1 on 1. I was able to hear some of her background & story. She was always so nice and glad to see you. So sorry for your loss. I hope all the memories bring comfort.
Christine Olson

~Christine Olson
~Friend, Chicago, IL

January 21st, 2026

A lovely lady and friend of my wife and me. We enjoyed Marriott Theatre and dinner at Dover Straits with friends. Being in Senior Living after my wife’s passing it is difficult to get together with friends. We had dinner once at Dover Straits with Adele, her daughter Brenda, my daughter Christine and me.
In Friendship,
L. Don Olson

~L, Don Olson
~Friend, Vernon Hills

January 21st, 2026

My memory is that she was a lovely lady ,very friendly. I was just an 12 year-old boy and she kindly escorted me by bus from Dover to Wilmington so I could take dance lessons.

~Rick Barros
~First cousin, DoverDE – now Park City Ut

January 21st, 2026

My dearest friend for over fifty years. Adele will be sorely missed. Loved her to the moon and back.

~Esther Silberman
~Dearest Friend, Deerfield, Illinois

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