Pless, Vera of Oak Park, Illinois

Vera Stepen Pless, died peacefully at home in Oak Park on Monday, just before her 89th birthday. The daughter of immigrants, she was born in Chicago to De. Helen Blinder Stepen (dentist) and Lyman Stepen (jeweler). Dr. Pless was Professor Emerita, Department of Mathematics at the University of Illinois Chicago, and was one of the world’s top experts in the field of error correcting codes. She wrote over 120 peer reviewed journal publications, several books and was a strong supporter of women’s rights and other anti-discrimination causes. She will be remembered for a sense of humor uniquely hers, her enthusiasm for theater and music, especially Classical and Klezmer, and her love of life. Dr. Pless is survived by her three children, Naomi, Ben, and Daniel, and her four grandchildren, Lilah, Evie, Rebecca, and Jesse. Services Friday, 11 a.m. West Suburban Temple Har Zion, 1040 N. Harlem Ave., River Forest 60305. Interment Glen Oak Cemetery. Remembrances may be made to the Family Justice Resource Center (www.famjustice.org).

Info: Chesed v’Emet Funeral Home, Rudy Lerner Funeral Director 847-577-0856 or www.chesedvemet.com.

Death Date: 2-Mar-20    Service Date: 6-Mar-20    Service Time: 11:00 A.M.    Service Type: Synagogue

Cemetery: Glen Oak Cemetery         Plot Location:  West Suburban Temple Har      Synagogue: West Suburban Temple Har Zion

Pless Residence
721 North Columbian
Oak Park, Il 60302
708-542-2222