Felice Dworkin Obituary

Dworkin, Felice Bograd Felice Bograd Dworkin was born on February 20, 1926 in Chicago, Illinois. The doctor on call for the delivery had been drinking -- so he let his son take over. The botched delivery that came next profoundly changed the course Felice's life. "You've got one good hand and one good foot. Do it yourself!" A common refrain growing up from her brother Zelman, who both taunted her and encouraged her to become more independent, cerebral palsy be damned. She attended a "School for Crippled Children." Then a "regular" high school and college on a merit scholarship. She swam. She threw parties. She sang. She considered a career in radio before working for decades for the state of Illinois. She walked with a limp and used a cane, but only embraced the word "handicapped" when it was convenient to her. Like when she wanted a discounted CTA pass and needed a doctor's note first. "But you're not handicapped!" Her doctor protested but she got her note. She was stubborn like that. Tetchy and alienating, too. But she had a huge smile for the family that visited her at the nursing home. And a mischievous wink. And a way of saying exactly what she thought right to your face thank you very much. Some people like that. In her later years, she sometimes reflected on the dual burden of being Jewish and "crippled." Oh, and also a woman. A triple threat for discrimination in her time. Our time. No wonder she had an edge. Hard-earned, razor sharp. Even as her body caught up with her. But that wink -- she could draw you in just as fiercely as she pushed some away. She will be missed. Felice died on November 13, 2018 in Chicago and is survived by nieces and nephews and their children and grandchildren.