Francine Stein Obituary

Stein, Francine

Francine "Fran" Stein, nee Goldman, 91, of Glencoe and Northbrook, was born in Chicago in 1933 and passed away in Glenview March 11, 2025.

Spectacular loving mother of Mark (Rachel) Stein and Mitch (Barri) Stein; adored Grammy of Adam and Jordan Stein; beloved wife of the late Arthur Stein; devoted daughter of the late Joseph Goldman and Sadye Kogen Goldman.

Fran attended Senn High School and went to The University of Illinois and Northwestern University. She spent several years in advertising, creating many memorable national campaigns. After leaving advertising to raise her family, she could always be counted on to write incredible songs and poems for friends and family events. Just last month, she wrote her final poem for a friend's birthday at Vi At The Glen, where she lived the past several years. In the early 70's, Fran started an incredible charity, HARC (Help a Retarded Child), hosting meetings and fundraisers at her home in Glencoe. The charity grew and raised millions of dollars, helping to create better lives for those in need. She was a fantastic tennis player, playing all over the Chicago area for many years until her knees couldn't handle it, and then she focused her competitive juices on taking all of the ladies' nickels and quarters at Mahjongg. The highlight of her later years was spending time with her 2 grandchildren Adam and Jordan, whom she called her "yummy boys". From Sunday night dinners at Bob Chinn's and various Chinese restaurants to watching the boys' soccer, baseball and volleyball games, being with her grandsons was her greatest pleasure- one that she waited her entire life for. She also never missed any of her son Mark's soccer or softball games, even attending his games as recently as last year. Teammates would always comment how cool it was that your mom would still come to your adult games, but that's what was important to her. She also loved having dinners at the Vi with her special friends every night at 6 pm, and when her grandchildren came to join, she loved showing them off. Family was the most important thing in the world to her. She will be deeply missed by all whose lives she touched. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

Funeral service Thursday, March 13, 1 PM at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe. Interment to follow at Shalom Memorial Park. For a link to view the service, shiva, and to leave condolences: www.shalommemorial.org, 847-255-3520.

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