Zelda Lansman Sklan, 97, of Evanston, Illinois, passed away on October 12, 2024, peacefully, in her home of 65 years. She was born in Chicago on June 24, 1927, to the late Harry and Edith (nee Baron) Lansman. Zelda moved to Los Angeles, California, as a young child, and resided there through her graduation from the University of California (UCLA) in 1949. On April 27, 1951, she married Robert Sklan.

 

Zelda raised 4 children in Evanston and worked as an Office Manager for Zenith Corporation for over 25 years, prior to her retirement in 1993. She enjoyed attending the theatre, going out with her many friends, and cheering on her Cubs.

 

“The world begins at a kitchen table. No matter what we must eat to live.” So begins Joy Harjo’s poem, ‘Perhaps the World Ends Here’. Zelda knew the truth of this and used food as a way of bringing people together. For many years she hosted Thanksgivings that collected the whole family – from the West Coast to the East – together around a shared table. They were loud, boisterous, joyous events where anyone was welcome to join. People brought friends and partners, some who came only once, some who became regulars, all of whom had to find a corner to tuck themselves into for the inevitable post-dinner, pre-pie nap. As everyone talked and ate and drank around her table, discussing politics and literature and science, digressing into an occasional joke or pedantic ramble or petty quarrel, she would often toss in quick-witted remarks or ask questions about your life and give you her thoughts on it; but she would just as often sit quietly, regally at its head, overseeing the family she had created, all the life and love that she had brought forth, the way it grew exponentially. In those moments, where she didn’t speak and just watched the world she had built around her table, I imagine my grandmother was sitting with the question in the last line of Harjo’s poem, that “Perhaps the world will end at the kitchen table. While we are laughing and crying, eating of the last sweet bite.”

 

Zelda was preceded in death by her beloved husband, parents, and sister, Shirley.

 

Zelda is survived by her children:  Mark (Laura Caghen) Sklan, of Huntington Beach, CA; Alan (Dassi) Sklan, of Greensboro, NC; Anat (Robert) Tisch, of Evanston, IL; and David, of Indianapolis, IN. Also grandchildren: Jonah (Rachel) Sklan, of Los Angeles, CA; Sophia Sklan of Boston, MA; Ruben Tisch, of Evanston, IL; Simone Sklan, of London, England; Eleanore Tisch, of Ames, IA; Judah Sklan, of Brooklyn, NY; and Gabriel Sklan, of Chicago.

 

Graveside service was held at noon, Tuesday, October 15, 2024. She was laid to rest beside her husband, in Rosehill Cemetery, 5800 North Ravenswood Avenue, Chicago. 

Interment in Sublot 3, Lot 68, Section W, Grave 2.

Arrangements entrusted to Evanston Funeral, Roland F. Weis Director, 847-866-8843 Condolence and guestbook at evanstonfuneral.com

 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to New Hope of Indiana, 8450 North Payne Road, Indianapolis, Indiana 46268. 

 

She will be missed. May her memory be a blessing.