Dear Ilon,
It was a privilege to have known you.
Love
Keith Trumbo

Brady,
I have often thought of Ilon in the past years, wondered where she was living, whether she was healthy, hoping she was happy. A friend sent me the page in today's paper and it made me very sad.

As a southern girl who arrived in New York in the early 70's, I had never met anyone like your mother. She was funny, she was confident, extremely intelligent, and she had the most amazing taste in jewelry and antiques. Her collections fascinated me. She and Gene shaped my life in my early 20's. 

Ilon was also a huge influence and close colleague of  my husband, Reinhold, who passed away last May. Can't believe both of them are gone. 

My deepest sympathy goes to you and your family,

Ilon was a special and unique human. I was quite young when she first started at Case and McGrath and was actually intimidated by her “woman-ness.”  But there was a soft side to her that she showed to me. We both had a fondness for jewelry and whenever she went on jewelry hunts, she would invite me to see her finds.; they were moments I’ll never forget. ,She broke the glass ceiling for women in so many ways and personally, inspired and encouraged me to believe in myself. Hoping you are reminiscing with Dad and talking “copy.” 💜

I met Ilon when we were freshmen at Syracuse University in 1959. She was very smart, thus we were in the same year even though she was almost two years younger than me!
She was like no one else. I missed her when she transferred to UCLA after her wonderful parents moved to LA. 
However we resumed our friendship as roommates at our first apartment on the upper Eastside in New York!
We were together when she got her first job at Doyle Dane and her amazing career took off. I’ve thought of her often, my most memorable, creative, intriguing friend. 
Rest in peace!

Dear Brady and family. My sincere condolences at the loss of your mother, a truly unique person. They say you die twice,  once when you stop breathing and the second time when your name is mentioned for the last time. Your mother's second time will be a long  in the future. She'll be remembered for many years for the wonderful person she was. She was generous, caring, frank, and extremely talented. How a nice New York Jewish girl and a Irish Catholic girl from the Midwest became such close friends is an interesting tale. We clicked immediately when we met on a trip to Russia in 1992. From the very first day Brady and Ilon  sat across from my son and myself at the breakfast table there was a bond.  It's a rarity when that happens and it was a special joy for me as Ilon  enriched my life, and I think we both enjoyed life a bit better because we were friends.
Having to say Goodbye is so difficult,  Vaya con Dios, my dear friend.

Brady and Family, 
I was so fortunate to have spent the last 15 years with Ilon on a daily basis, it was an honor and a privilege.  I will truly miss her.   
Brady, thank you for honoring Ilon today with love, laughter and style.  As always, you did your Mom proud. 
My deepest condolences to all that knew and loved her. 
Jeni

Dear, dear Brady,

I am so sorry to learn the sad news of Ilon.  She was a charming person, a good neighbor and made me smile whenever I saw her.  
I have missed her presence the years she lived in Ojai.

I send my condolences and affection,
Steffi

There honestly aren't any words that I can say that can help ease the pain that you feel over your loss. The stereotypical words often feel flat and of little comfort. You know that she loved you and that you meant the world to her. Hold onto that. Remember the good times. It will take time to remember them without the deep pain but someday that day will come. Please accept my deepest sympathies.

Alli

Ha’makom yenahem etkhem betokh she’ar avelei Tziyonvi’Yerushalayim

On behalf of the Eubanks family we extend our sincere condolences to Brady,  Ilon’s family and friends. We will miss this special lady whom we shared with, the love of art, antiques and vintage California.  Ilon was one in a million - funny, witty, smart. “Because she was worth it” so long Ilon and we’ll see you on the other side 🙏❤️‍🩹🙏

Ilon was such a force of chaotic inspiration and I was truly in awe of her as a young woman.  Not only was her creative mind so very different from my nerdy science self, but I’ll never forget how she opened her home when one of my family members needed a safe space and I was a continent away.  She left an impression on everyone she met and I was glad to have known her.

Oh, Brady, my deepest sympathies on the loss of your amazing mother...Ilon was truly one of a kind, one of the most vibrant, interesting, and creative  women I have ever known. I'm so glad you and your family were able to be with her when she finally departed this realm... I have no doubt she's already busy conquering the next one. 
Sending you love and comfort, joan iaconetti  
(We met only once at your wedding... I am Maureen Celusta's college roommate.)

OBITUARY

Ilon Specht

19 April, 1943 – 20 April, 2024

Sugarman Sinai Memorial Chapel

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