Merle J. Reskin

Merle Reskin, nee Muskal, age 93, left this earth on November 1, 2023. She was born on November 20, 1929, and lived an incredible life. She was a singer, dancer, and patron of the arts. She was also a mom, a grandma, and a great-grandma to many.

A native Chicagoan, Merle first discovered her love for music and drama at the Latin School for Girls Chicago. Following graduation, she attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. While training professionally, she was featured on a variety of television and radio shows, including Joe Bolton’s, “Open House,” the Chicago television production “Hawkins Falls” and more than a dozen productions of “Studio One.” She spent two summers in summer-stock productions at the Chevy Chase Theatre and sang for two summers alongside Etta Moten, the original Bess from Broadway’s Porgy and Bess, at the Chicago Fair. Following a chance meeting at a cocktail party in New York, Merle auditioned for Richard Rogers, and landed the role of Ensign Janet MacGregor in the Broadway production of “South Pacific.” After her run on Broadway, she made a children’s television pilot entitled, “Wonder Window.” Merle transitioned into a life of philanthropy after her whirlwind courtship and marriage to the love of her life, her late husband Harold Reskin, a Chicago-area real estate entrepreneur. The two became generous patrons of the arts, establishing the Merle Reskin Theatre at DePaul University and The Merle Reskin Garage Theatre at Steppenwolf Theatre Company, in addition to years of the generous support of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Ravinia Festival, and Writers’ Theatre – among countless others. Merle was a card-carrying member of Actors Equity Association. She was the proud mother of Leslie R. Neilan (Paul) and Jim Reskin (Rhonda), the loving grandmother of Sean (Chelsea), Spencer (Leaht), Melanie, Hillary, Sophie and Eric, and great-grandmother of Carly, Liam, Erez and Riley.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, November 5, 2023, 2:00 PM at North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe, IL 60022 where shiva will follow until 8:00 PM, and again on Monday, November 6, 3:00-7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Merle's memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Info: Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 847-256-5700.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.weinsteinfuneralhomes.com for the Reskin family.