Esther Rosen Obituary

Esther was my dearest friend in Hyde Park. Actually, I met Esther through the University of Chicago Service League. I had known some of the women before, but it was Esther who was my first new friend in the League. I met Esther at my first board meeting of the League in November 1988. This meeting was held at the home of her friend Fran Stutzman every year for many years. I remeber being very shy and nervous and for some reason, Esther and I kept looking at each other across the room. Perhaps she was just curious as to who was this new gal on the block. I, in turn, watched her watching me. In turned out to be a sign from God that there would be a magical connection between us for the rest of her life.



After the meeting it was traditional that members of the board go to the Wilmette Country Club for luncheon--as Mrs. Stutzman's home rested just on the boarder of the golf club's first tee. Much to Esther's dismay, the country club was no longer open for lunch--so we had to go elsewhere, but near-by. (It always struck me as amuaing that all these elderly ladies would get into their car-pooled cars and drive down the expressway from one exit to the next exit to get to the restaurant! More amazing that they all managed to get back after having a cocktail or two! Although, if I remember correctly, Esther always prefered water.) Well, it so happened that we found ourselves seated together. And that was the beginning of our long friendship. She asked just the right questions and made sure to make me feel invited and welcomed. Esther was intrigued by the name Levi-Setti and I told her that my husband is an Italian Jew--and that the Setti name refered to the woman who gave her name to both my husband and his brother during the occupation in Italy in an attempt to help disguise the very Jewish name of Levi. When he became an American citizen he added the name Setti in honor of this woman who saved him and his immediate family during the war. Esther was facinated by this story and greatly wanted to meet my husband whom she treated with much admiration and respect--as she did everyone she cared about.



Esther would always ask about: "How's your honey?" She would phone me often and when using the answering machine would always say the same thing: "Nika, this is your aunt Esther calling. My number is.... The reason I'm calling is.... Call me back, will you boobala?" Every time I heard that message, it would be so meaningful for me--and it instantly drew a smile on my face. Esther saw me through many times of despair and grief, depression and sadness. We would spend hours on the phone with Esther always giving good, but no-nonsense advice. But we would always end up in howls of laughter. And it is this that kept us together all these years. The sharing the same type of humour and values, the same feelings and thoughts, and the same respect for others. I would miss her when I was not around her or not talking to her on the phone.

And now I have to miss her even more.



Love you, dearest one. And thank you for all the times we shared--both the laughter and the tears. A warm hug, in thought. --Nika Semkoff Levi-Setti