Bertella Warren Obituary

Warren, Bertella Rockmore

Bertella R. Warren, a beloved and transformative educator who touched countless lives over four decades in Chicago Public Schools, passed away peacefully on February 5, 2026 at the age of 84 after living with advanced pancreatic cancer. She was surrounded by the love of her family, former students, colleagues and friends whose lives she touched. She leaves behind a legacy of excellence in the classroom, fierce love as a mother, and quiet, steady care that reached far beyond school walls.

Born Bertella Easter Rockmore on April 13, 1941 in Chicago, Bertella was the daughter of Jeanette Jamie Wingo Rockmore and grew up with her beloved brother Lloyd. They grew up in the Ida B. Wells housing project, where she developed a deep appreciation for community, perseverance and the value of education.

She leaves behind a legacy that cannot be measured in years, but in lives transformed. From the hundreds of students who credit her with helping them reach their potential, to the colleagues she mentored, to the family she loved, and the community she enriched-her impact will resonate for generations.

Bertella is survived by her two sons, Brent and Dorian; three beloved grandchildren whom she called her "wonderful grands"; two daughters-in-law; a wide circle of loving relatives, lifelong friends and colleagues; and countless former students whose lives she changed forever.

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