Roslyn Grodzin Obituary

What can u say about a brilliant shining light that illuminated us all. I bless her Soul in Glory with profound gratitude and love.

Always remember her artistry, deep intelligence and generosity. A pleasure to have known and worked with her.
Jeff Ginsberg

Our family forever cherishes the CDs of the Ziff, Yastrow, and Rosset family stories by Rozzie with recording assistance from Dan Schuman and Steve Yastrow. Rozzie taught me to say, " The tip of the tongue, the lips, the teeth" while giving me an elocution lesson at an early age. She was a lifelong hero of mine who I always admired, respected and enjoyed.

Dear Shelby and Sybil.

I was so surprised to learn of Roz's passing. She was so full of life that I never thought of her as getting older or ill. She was a wonderful friend to my Mother, who adored her and was so in awe of her talents and accomplishments. Roz was the whole package and lived her life to the fullest.

Few people leave their mark in this world. She will be missed by all that knew her.

My condolences to you and your family.

Judi Mack

Dear Shelby and Sybil.

I was so surprised to learn of Roz's passing. She was so full of life that I never thought of her as getting older or ill. She was a wonderful friend to my Mother, who adored her and was so in awe of her talents and accomplishments. Roz was the whole package and lived her life to the fullest.

Few people leave their mark in this world. She will be missed by all that knew her.

My condolences to you and your family.

Judi Mack

What a talent, and an indomitable spirit. I feel fortunate to have shared the stage with her, and to have seen her perform. A class act. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest, Roz. -Kirsten D'Aurelio

I felt so privileged to work with Roz on 30 MILES FROM NOWHERE. She was an absolute gem in every moment we had her. Insanely gifted and radiant and filled with joy and kindness and a sense of adventure. She was the embodiment of class and talent and a beautiful Chicago-theatre work ethic.
She will be so missed. We feel so fortunate to have been graced with her gifts and her kindness. - seana kofoed

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to work with and get to know Roz. She had such an amazing attitude and joy for life. To hear the stories of how she started out and many of the experiences she has had acting in our community was truly a gift.

Such sad news to hear of the passing of my aunt Roz. I have wonderful childhood memories of Peseach with my cousins at Grandpa and Grandma Sevin's. My love and sympathies go out to the family, With my love, Lori Sevin

Reading the Chicago Tribune saw the obit for your dear mother. What fond memories raced in my memory of our times on Colville Place in Waukegan during our childhood. So sorry for your loss. Shirley Pugh Coulter

Two memories of Roz:

1) We became friends over coffee & a script of mine (with a part for her, of course!). After her razor-sharp critique, she gave me a tour of the house on Melrose, stopping to show me the cabinet where she & Sam stored their Passover china. In my many years of working in Chicago theater, I'd never met anyone else who Koshered her home for Passover. From then on, I considered Roz a mentor for combining a passion for theatre with a commitment to Judaism.

2) Roz asked me to critique an early draft of her Emma Goldmann script and we agreed to meet at a particular Starbucks. But Roz went to the wrong one so I dashed over there and parked my car in haste outside. Turns out, it was a very illegal spot & I got a $100 ticket. Soon after, Roz sent me a $100 bill in the mail because she felt responsible. I was so overwhelmed, I donated it to a Jewish charity -- just the sort of thing that Roz would have done.

A wonderful talent, a wonderful lady. My good luck to have known her.
Bob Baron, Actor

It was an honor to serve with Roz on our SAG council. She was smart, opinionated, and funny. She loved actors and acting. It was a joy to watch her do what she loved on stage and screen. Our community has lost a true legend. My condolences. May her memory be a blessing.

Rozzie was a great raconteur. Among her best stories told are the cassettes and CDs she recorded of our family history with technical help from Danny Schuman and Steve Yastrow. I cherish those and her DVD of Emma Goldman, which she alone wrote and performed. Our family here will celebrate and honor her life today as we watch her perform and listen to her speak.

My sincerest sympathies to Roslyn's family. She was a true woman of valor. A supremely intelligent, curious, indomitable talent. I had the supreme pleasure of directing her in the Richard Greenberg play, The American Plan, at the National Jewish Theatre in 1996. It was an unforgettable experience and Roz was indelible, commanding, and gorgeous. A blessing to have known and worked with her.

Celebrating a life well lived. We will cherish the memories forever.

I loved working with Roz. She was sweet and generous and always full of life and humor.

Brilliant attention to detail during rehearsals - Precise and consistent each performance. Valuable lessons she taught all she collaborated with. RIP Roz

She was a lovely woman, so full of light. If she didn't remember me from time to time, she certainly seemed to, which is astonishing because our paths crossed so rarely. I thought of her as one of the pillars of the Chicago theatre community. Love and prayers to her whole family at this time of great loss.

she was a sweet,charming woman,and an important element of our theater community. always a pleasure to be with,her loss leaves a void in our hearts.

Roz was a ray if light in our theatrical community and now she is shining in heaven. The physical may pass away, but art is forever. Her vibrant energy will live on in our hearts.

i knew Roz as a cousin of my wife...marcia....she was loved and respected by all that knew her.....a real loss

I knew when I read any Playbill with Roslyn Alexander's name in it, I was in for a great night of theater.

I am truly sorry about the passing of your loved one. May the peace of God strengthen and support your family during this difficult time. Deepest sympathies.

I am sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in Psalms 29:11, knowing that in difficult times like this, God gives peace and strength. DM

My love and prayers are with Sam and all of Roz's family in this great loss. It was my honor to know and work with Roz, the most fun being when we did Steel Magnolias....for so long. She is one in a million. We shared faith in God and had many wonderful memories together, socially and on stage. What a legend!

Had the great pleasure to act with Roz on the stage, in film, commercials & industrial films. She was always a Class Act, very talented, funny, warm & kind. My heartfelt condolences to her family & friends. She will be missed. May she R.I.P. Warmest regards, Rick Plastina

I just contacted my Mom (Ann Whitney) to give her this sad news. She wrote, "My goodness, what a loss for all of us. She was so talented and really nice." I always heard her speak fondly of Roz. Please know her loved ones will be in Mom's prayers.

- Sarah Whitney

I'm so sorry for your loss.
May the God of all comfort strengthen you at this time.

It was a pleasure and an honor to work with Roz on my play How I Became an Interesting Person at Chicago Dramatists. She was a great woman and a wonderful talent. I'm sure she received a standing ovation when she arrived on the other side.

A wonderful and talented woman will be greatly missed. Elayne LeTraunik