Joan Leslie Kerlow passed away on Monday, October 28, 2024, in Madison, Wisconsin, after battling an intestinal infection.
She was born on October 1, 1935, in Chicago, IL, where she was raised. She is the daughter of Ida and Alex Cohen.
Joan studied social work at Roosevelt University and worked in real estate and property management, before serving for many years as the Great Lakes Region Executive Director of B’nai B’rith Women. After living in St. Louis, Mexico City, and Minneapolis, she moved to Evanston, IL, where she raised her two children and was involved in PTA and civic leadership.
When she retired, she spent her winters in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, and Palm Springs, California.
Joan loved to travel, the arts, exercise and movement, and music, especially Mariachi songs. She was kind, caring, funny, quick witted, and social.
For the past nine years, she was a proud and valued resident of Capitol Lakes Retirement Community in Madison, Wisc. There she enjoyed water classes, play reading, and her morning breakfast club. She was a leader in the Jewish Life at Capitol Lakes and helped arrange and organize observations and celebrations.
She is preceded in death by her great love Saul Binder of Chicago. She is survived by her daughter Eleanor Kerlow (Isabel Blanco), granddaughter Marina Kerlow, son Eric Kerlow (Sasha Weinstein), granddaughter Talia Kerlow, and grandson Lev Kerlow, sister Lauri Rodich (David Rodich), and nieces Courtnie Lopez (Eric Lopez) and Alexis Rodich (Aaron Zimmerman).
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, October 30, 2024 at Beit Olamim, 7302 Mineral Point Road, Madison.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Capitol Lakes Staff and Appreciation Fund, 333 W. Main St. Madison, WI 53703 in c/o the Business Office, https://www.capitollakes.org/ or the Jewish Federation of Madison, https://www.jewishmadison.org/.
We welcome you to share your memories of Joan here on her tribute wall.
Cress Funeral & Cremation Service
3610 Speedway Road Madison
(608) 238-3434
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