North Shore Death Notices: June 5 - June 11

The following death notices were added to funeral homes serving the North Shore area in taåhe past week. Those homes have provided obituaries for some of those that have passed away recently. Patch offers condolences to their loved ones, links to their obituaries and notices of upcoming services below.

Donnellan Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie'

Bridget Kleiderer, 52, Wilmette
Visitation June 11, Mass June 12

Hector Jesus Molinar, 63
Service June 11

John Novi, 83, Glenview
Visitation and service June 11

Bernard Garvey, 90, Glenview
Mass June 11

Geraldine C. Reedy, 96, Glenview
Visitation June 12, Mass June 13

Mary M. Littel née Heyman, 90, Evanston
Visitation June 12, Mass June 13

Dolores A. Herman nze Polinski, 82, Skokie
Visitation June 12, service June 13

John F. O'Connor, 79

Roberto Hernandez, 76, Evanston

Robert D. Musgjerd, 94, Glenview

Adrienne F. Paxton, 68, Glenview

Haben Funeral Home, 8057 Niles Center Rd. in Skokie

Blair J. Winandy, 62, Wheeling

Dorothy H. Walusiak née Hoffman, 95, Skokie

Simkins Funeral Home, 6251 Dempster St. in Morton Grove

Marie Brunning née Palermo, 90, Morton Grove
Visitation June 13, service June 14

Dianne B. Johnson, 79, Morton Grove

Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Blvd. in Wilmette

Barry Michael Woldman, 75
Visitation and service June 12

Chicago Jewish Funerals, 8851 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie

Nathan Winter, 94, Vernon Hills
Service June 13

Doris Barsky, 91, Glenview

Adele Pearl Weil, 90, Lincolnwood

Marshall Rosner, 90, Evanston

Marilyn Siegel, 89, Lincolnwood

Jay B. Dushkin, 76, Northfield

Kenneth A. Falk, 78, Wheeling

Gary B, Silbar, 57, Highland Park

Michael Chonoles, Malvern, Pennsylvania

Stanley Freireich, Skokie

Burleigh Netzky, Chicago

Sylvia Rose Rubin, Chicago

Dr. Carol A. Reed, Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

Barbara Jane Hillman, Chicago

Vivian Sadow, Chicago

Sandra H. Levin, Niles

Earl A. Jacobson, Skokie

Henry Mermelstein

Reuland & Turnbough, 1407 N. Western Ave. in Lake Forest

Lyn Leister Rojahn, 77, Lake Forest
Service June 15

Wenben Funeral Home, 320 Vine Ave. in Lake Forest

Charles H. Walsh, 86, Lake Forest

Raymond L. Pierobon, 92, Lake Forest

Kelley & Spalding Funeral Home, 1787 Deerfield Road in Highland Park

Laura Brogi, 62, Deerfield
Visitation and Mass June 12

Guy Scopelliti, 85, Deerfield
Visitation June 12, Mass June 13

Anne "Annie" Marie Singer, 81, Highland Park

Loren V. Hershenson, 84, Lake Forest

Featured obituary:

Bridget Lannan Kleiderer, 52. Beloved daughter of Maureen nee Lannan and the late K. Frederick Kleiderer. Loving sister of Tricia, Karl (Ashley), Kristin and John (Kelly) Kleiderer. Dear aunt of Nick, Connor, Natalie, Ian, Nelson, Rosie and Peter Kleiderer.Bridget was an angel of God who visited us from heaven for 52 years, bringing light to all who had the blessing to know her before she was called home too soon. She died June 6, 2018, after a 16-month bout with ovarian cancer.

Born in Wilmette as the second of five children, she attended Saints Faith, Hope and Charity school, followed by Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest where she made lifelong friends and humorous memories. Bridget went on to the University of Notre Dame, graduating in 1987. She was a Domer through and through and developed other lifelong friendships there. Her love of Notre Dame regularly brought her back to campus hosting football tailgates for friends and family. In her junior year she spent a semester in the Loyola Rome program, where she fell in love with Italy and with Rome, which she visited often over the years.

From a young age, Bridget was drawn to caring for children. After college she earned a degree in physical therapy from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1991. For over 25 years she treated children with disabilities, working at Pathways Center for Children, Misericordia, Capable Kids, and in independent practice. She became a part of the kids’ lives and was far more than just a PT to them. Her work was a vocation of love that brought her great joy and she continued to work throughout her cancer treatments up until her final months. She and the kids connected in a special way. She referred to them as “my kids” and loved them as her own. She also grew close to the families of the kids she treated and became like extended family. Her generous spirit extended to Nicaragua, where Bridget volunteered on an annual medical trip for multiple years providing physical therapy and orthotics to people with special needs.

Her faith was an important foundation of her life. She frequently attended 7:30 AM mass at Faith Hope and regularly prayed the rosary; her life gave witness to the Beatitudes.

Bridget loved her family dearly, in particular her nieces and nephews whom she adored. She delighted in hearing and retelling stories about them and studied every photo in great detail. She was a foster parent to a lucky young boy for two years and was a Godparent to numerous children. She never married or had kids of her own, but played a significantly formative role in countless children’s – and adults’ – lives.

Children flocked to her. They sensed her playful spirit and good nature. She spoke to them with respect and in a way that drew out answers and fostered connection. But it wasn’t just kids who were drawn to her: she was a friend to young and old alike. Older generations often invited her to dinner or to play golf. She was wonderful company. She also played in a regular women’s foursome.

Bridget created fun and joy wherever she went. She had a small house and a small pool yet everyone wanted to be there. She brought people together. She was the consummate host at her pool in the summer, called Club Bridget. People gathered there every weekend all summer long. She was a master on the grill and her coolers were always full. One time she arranged for a donut truck at her house and hosted a morning party that filled the driveway and front lawn with friends of all ages. 4th of July’s at her house often included extensive fireworks that occasionally warranted a visit from the police… She created the Summer Olympics at her house for nieces, nephews, and friends’ kids, with various events in her pool and yard, complete with an opening parade to music, medal ceremonies, flags, and all. These events became legendary and the kids who participated will likely never forget them.

Everything about Bridget was colorful: her personality, clothes, flowers, furniture, hats, you name it - if it was Bridget’s, it was vibrant. She absolutely loved life and embraced it to the fullest.

She created an oasis behind her house, surrounding the pool with beautiful gardens and shrubs and overflowing pots of colorful flowers that she thoroughly enjoyed. She loved her birds and they loved her, flocking to her many feeders and plants where she took great joy in watching them. While serving on the Woodlands Academy alumnae board, Bridget played a key role in designing the gardens and reflection space for the renovation of Sacred Heart Cemetery in Lake Forest, where sisters of the Society of the Sacred Heart are buried.

She was very active and often accomplished more before 8 a.m. than many do all day. She was a great organizer and planner, and was decidedly a “do-er.” She had a love for travel, not only frequenting Rome, but also venturing to China, Dubai, Ireland, East Africa, Sardinia, Australia, New Zealand, trips to Harbour Island, and all over the US, accompanied by close friends, cousins, and siblings.

Many people sought out Bridget for advice or as a confidant with a listening ear. She served as an anchor for many. She often said, “okay, here’s what we’re going to do,” not in a bossy or imposing way but with a confidence that provided reassurance. Her unrelenting positive spirit and hope-filled outlook on life continued throughout her cancer treatments, and she always showed gratitude to her caregivers both at home and at the hospital.

Love, family, friendship, faith and selfless generosity marked Bridget’s life. She had a great sense of humor and delighted in imitating people, which she did well. Her infectious laugh, smile, and spirit enveloped a room. Bridget had such a presence, and was someone that people just wanted to be around. She made the world brighter and lighter and made all feel welcomed and special. Not a bad word was said about her.

As one person remarked, her passing was like Santa himself had died.

She was one of the greats. She taught us how to love, what it means to be a friend, and how to live life to the fullest. Neighbors referred to her as Saint Bridget – and she was. There is no doubt she has joined the communion of saints, where her selfless heart of love can shine its light brightly on that many more people. Her dad, aunts, uncles, and grandparents welcomed her into heaven with open arms and had a joyous celebration! They all adored Bridget. And so did we.

via Donnellan Funeral Home

Last week: North Shore Death Notices: May 29 - June 4