Charlene Fischman Obituary

Fischman, Charlene Hope (Inbinder) was born on January 1st, 1953, she went to Middleton Elementary School and Oakview (now McCraken) Junior High School, in Skokie, IL. Charlene started High School at Niles East Township, in 1966. In 1968, her family moved to Northbrook where she then graduated from Glenbrook North High School in 1970. Charlene received her Bachelor of Arts Degree from Northern Illinois University in Special Education in 1974. After graduation Charlene taught school in Chicago's Humboldt Park area for five years. It was at Northern Illinois University where Charlene met her husband Steven. She and Steven were married in Northbrook on September 11, 1977. Charlene was a pioneer in a male dominated jewelry industry. She grew up in her father's store, Wilmette Jewelers, where her interest in the business began. She realized that there was a need for a more standardized and professional evaulation, indentification and appraisal process of precious gemstones and jewelry. As always, refusing to take no for an answer, Charlene left teaching to begin her own independent jewelry appraisal business, Associated Gemological Appraisers, in 1979. She became the first female senior member of the ASA, American Society of Appraisers in the Chicagoland area. She opened her own retail jewelry store, Northbrook Jewelers, in 1990, which she maintained, inspite of her deadly illness, until 2001. Charlene will always be remembered within the business for her delightful spirit, creative talent and unique custom designs. She loved her customers and they loved her as well. Charlene was a wonderful mother. She never allowed her business to get in the way of raising her two sons, Jason, 22, and Adam, 18. She was their greatest cheerleader always encouraging them always loving them. They were her champions, her heroes, her most precious gems. Charlene loved her business, but most of all she loved her family: her husband, Steven of 27 years; her two sons, Jason and Adam; her father and mother, Lester and Irma Inbinder; her two sisters, Gayle Inbinder (Ron Katz), Lisa (Richard) Golden; parents-in-law, Carl and Lorraine Fischman, brother-in-law, Richard (Ilene) Fischman, sister-in-law, Sharyl (Al) Ross, nieces and nephews: Stephanie and Lindsay Katz, Shira, Rebecca and Jenna Golden, Lane and Martee Fischman, Ariel and Benjamin Ross, her aunts, uncles, cousins and friends too numerous to mention. There was no better role model or baton carrier than Charlene as she battled a deadly cancer. She was an extraordinary patient at both Evanston Hospital and at Duke University Medical Center. Her doctors, family and friends were always amazed by her relentless desire to get well, maintain happiness and continue to be a free spirit who loved life and people. Charlene would like to thank all of her doctors, nurses, caregivers, family and friends who helped her to survive four and one half years, most of which were good years. Charlene was a brave and courageous women. She embraced the possibility of death as she celebrated her pursuit of life and it is in that philosophy that she was able to inspire all who knew her. She sends her love and hope to all who are still fighting the war against cancer. Services will be held Monday, 11 a.m., at Moriah Congregation, 200 Taub Dr., Deerfield, IL, 60015. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Moriah Congregation or to The Brain Tumor Research Fund at Evanston Hospital c/o Nicholas Vick, M.D., 2650 Ridge Rd., Evanston, IL, 60201. For info: Shalom Memorial Funerals, 847-255-3520 or shalommemorialpark-funerals.com