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Josephine Minow Obituary
Josephine (Jo) Baskin Minow had a lifetime love affair with Chicago and Chicago history, spawned by her family's presence in the city for five generations. She served on the boards of many of the city's most significant civic organizations including the Chicago History Museum, Ravinia, and Know Your Chicago and served as President of the Juvenile Protective Association (JPA) originally founded by Jane Addams. When she became the JPA president, board meetings were held at the University Club which did not allow women to enter through the front door. She moved the meetings to another location that allowed all members to enter through the front door. She was a founding member of the Northwestern University Women's Board in 1978 and a member of the Women's' Boards of the University of Chicago and the Field Museum, and a governing member of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. In her 80th year, she became a member of the Board of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. She served both as a director and executive committee member of the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. She was the author of three children's books including Marty the Broken-Hearted Artichoke. For fun, she played the role of Henry Fonda's assistant in the four-star movie "Advise and Consent."
In 2021 she celebrated 72 years of marriage to Northwestern classmate Newton N. Minow, senior counsel at Sidley Austin and former Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission. She is survived by him and by their three daughters, Nell, Martha, and Mary, (all lawyers she called "the three Portias") and grandchildren Ben and Rachel Apatoff and Mira Singer. There will be a memorial at the Chicago History Museum in the spring.
Services are private. In lieu of flowers, memorials in her memory to a charity of your choice would be appreciated. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com.
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Memories and Condolences
for Josephine Minow
Sponsored by Chicago Sun-Times.
Jeanne Haber
February 21, 2022
So admired Jo and treasured her as a friend.
So many shared laughs. I am so sad to think she
has left us. Thankful to have known her. She was
one terrific lady.
Kathy Skobel
February 21, 2022
Dear Newt, Nell, Martha, Mary and family,
My heartfelt sympathy on the loss of Jo. A remarkable woman in every way. What a treasure! You are all in my thoughts. With love, Kathy Skobel
Judy Loseff Lavin
February 21, 2022
There was no one like Jo. What an inspiration to all of us! Truly one-of-a-kind. She will be so missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Sending love....
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Israel Fridman & Ann Silverman
February 20, 2022
We are with you in our thoughts.
Hugs.
Dinah Jacobs Castle
February 20, 2022
Jo - truly one of a kind. The most caring, compassionate woman! When my then dear husband Don Jacobs succeeded Newt as the Chairman of the Arthur Anderson Review Board, she gave me invaluable advice. Gone in this world, but never forgotten. My sincere condolences to Newt, his amazing daughters whom Don so admired, & their entire family.
Sister Catherine Ryan
February 20, 2022
Jo was a delight as well as a kind, thoughtful, and generous woman. It was my privilege to meet her during board service. Jo was a blessing to us all. May God bless Jo´s family in this time.
Robert and CK Wedgeworth
February 20, 2022
We offer our deepest sympathies for the loss of Josephine Minow. She was an extraordinary woman well suited to extraordinary times. We are grateful to have known her.
Lilah Lohr
February 19, 2022
Thinking of you, dear Nell, your father and your family. This is such a difficult time. Your mother was an exceptional woman. May her memory be a blessing.
Sonia Gill
February 19, 2022
Goodbye dear cousin Jo. Your memory will indeed be a blessing to all of us. You will be missed not only by your husband, daughters and their families but by your extended family and all those that you touched during your lifetime of service and generosity.
Cousin Sonia Gill in California.
The Schultz Family
February 18, 2022
All of us are deeply saddened by the loss of Mrs. Minow. Having known her since I started working for Mr. Minow in 1976, our family has been blessed with her wisdom, her charm, her wit and her kindness. She was a wonderful teacher to me when I became a mother for the first time. To Mr. Minow, Nell, David, Benjamin, Rachel, Scott, Martha, Joe, Mira and Mary, we send all of our love and hugs. We know the memories of the good years together will bring you all comfort. With fondness, Kathy, Mark, Andy, Des, Mark, Alisha, Easton, Maverick and Reagan Schultz
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