Bertha Gimbel

Bertha Gimbel (nee Foreman) died peacefully on September 20th, 2023. Bertha was the wife of the late Morton Gimbel, mother of Corey (Louise Mezzatesta) and Marc (Rita), and aunt and great aunt to many. She was a Lincolnwood resident for over 50 years. She was married to Mort Gimbel for 58 years.

While raising her family, she earned her bachelor’s degree in education from Northeastern College, graduating the same year as her son Corey graduated from high school. She subsequently earned a master’s degree from Loyola University. She had a 20-year teaching career in the Chicago public school system.

After retiring from teaching, she developed an interest in village politics, regularly attending village board meetings. After the contentious approval of the Lincolnwood Town Center development on the former Bell & Howell site, she was asked to run for village trustee, as part of a slate of candidates interested in a change of government. Since she “didn’t know politics” she decided to run for clerk as an independent instead. She won and served two terms. While in office Mrs. Gimbel worked doggedly to get Lincolnwood its own zip code. At the time Lincolnwood was covered by three different Chicago zip codes. The situation caused confusion and resulted in higher insurance premiums for the residents. Finally in 1999, shortly after she left office, Lincolnwood received its own zip code, largely due to her efforts.

In 2005, still wishing to serve her community, she ran for mayor unsuccessfully against the incumbent. Mrs. Gimbel was a longtime member of the Friends of the Lincolnwood Library. In 2001 she was elected to the office of Lincolnwood Library trustee. She served for 20 years. She taught knitting classes at the Lincolnwood library on Friday afternoons for many years, well into her 90s. It began as an afterschool class for kids, but expanded to include participants of all ages, after several parents expressed an interest in learning to knit. But perhaps she is best remembered so fondly for the patchwork teddy bears that she knitted in vast numbers over the years. What began as gifts for members of her family, eventually expanded to include kids far and wide. She even received an official thank you note from Buckingham Palace for the bear she sent to the royal baby, Prince George.

Funeral service will be held Friday, September 22nd, 2023 at 10 AM at Weinstein & Piser Funeral Home, 111 Skokie Boulevard, Wilmette. Interment Waldheim Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the JUF, www.juf.org.