Susan J. Spector

Susan Joy Spector had a smile that lit up the room, and a heart that overflowed with love for her community.

A renowned philanthropist and Jewish community leader, Spector died on May 6 at age 74.

“Susie was a real sweetheart,” said JUF Executive Vice Chairman Dr. Steven B. Nasatir. “She cared passionately about this community and had her own quiet leadership style. She demonstrated how much she cared by showing up–always–and by doing. She was loved and admired by all who were fortunate to know her.”

Spector was a longtime member of the JCC Chicago Board of Directors, JCC Chicago Advisory Council, and a past president and longtime member of the JCC Chicago Women’s Board. In addition, she was integrally involved in the establishment of the Bernard Weinger JCC in Northbrook, which was named for her late father. She and her husband Lory, who served on the JUF Board of Directors, were Golden Givers to the JUF Annual Campaign

“Susie and her family assumed an awesome responsibility with so much heart for Jewish Chicago and our collective Jewish future, said Addie Goodman, President and CEO of JCC Chicago. “What I will remember most, is that Susie [was] so, so kind–her grace and compassion and innate kindness made her glow. Her smile was radiant, and she smiled all the time.”

She was particularly passionate about the women’s board’s mission of providing scholarships to enable more children to experience JCC summer camps, which she took pride in visiting.

As a guest writer for the J’s blog, Spector shared: “…standing in the lobby after the game, my grandson turned to me and said, ‘Grandma, your name, Poppy’s name, and my dad’s name are up on the wall!’ I smiled and explained that we felt it was important to help build this JCC so that children like him would have a place to come and do things like play basketball, swim, take classes, or go to camp and preschool.”

Susie was the beloved wife of Laurence ‘Lory’ Spector and the loving mother of Chad Spector and Judd (Jillian) Spector. She was the proud grandmother of two. Cherished daughter of the late Bernard and the late Helen Weinger. Dear sister of the late Mitchell Weinger. Memorials to the Susan J. Spector Camp Scholarship Fund or to the Susan J. Spector Fund for Bernard Weinger JCC.

Linda S. Haase is Senior Associate Vice President of Marketing Communications for the Jewish United Fund.