Funeral Details

Rae Bribram Charous passed away in comfort at 100 years. Cherished wife of the late A. Arthur Charous, loving mother of Dr. Bruce Lauren (Dr. Margaret) Charous and the late Michael Steven Charous. Devoted grandmother of Dr. Daniel (Shari) and Dr. Matthew. Adoring great-grand mother of Aiden and Marisa. Last of her immediate family; she gave help and support to her siblings: Mila, Sam, Esther, Bess, Celia, Al, Shirley, Belle and Nathan. Her nephew, Dr. Marc Slutsky and his family, were especially close to Rae. She saw herself as "free as a bird," a thought that captures her personality. Ebullient in style and amazingly energetic, she cut a wide swath. A proud graduate of the University of Chicago, she was always eager to discuss "what’s going on in the world." A first generation American, she identified with the poor and the dispossessed. She was committed to improving the world about her and had long career in social work. A devotee of the theatre, classical music, and widely read, she was a volunteer at the Chicago Botanic Gardens and a frequent attendee at the Art Institute. Given her flare and sense of color, it is not surprising that she started and maintained an interior decorating business for over 25 years. Her skills in baking won much repute. She had a wide circle of friends, many from college days, others acquired over the years; she was saddened as that circle gradually thinned and then disappeared over the decades of her life. Her involvement with her grandchildren became an important focus of her life; no story or recollection was unimportant to her. She is sorely missed. Special thanks to Alma Lim and to Nona Aclan for their gentle and warm care of Rae during her long passage; to Dr. Mark Chelmowski for his kindness and wise counsel; and to the staff at Newcastle Place and Horizon Hospice. Graveside service Friday 12:30PM at Shalom Memorial Park (Section 4), 1700 West Rand Rd., Arlington Heights.