Funeral Details

Helen Z. Marks, 90, a long-time resident of Naples, Florida, died on October 19, 2016 in Chicago.

She was a dearly loved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, and was preceded in death by Jerome Marks, her husband of 64 years.

Born on March 13, 1926 in Ironwood, Michigan, she was an accomplished student, musician, athlete and trailblazer. She was one of the nation's first women certified public accountants, a career she pursued after graduating with honors from the University of Minnesota. She loved music, folk dancing and athletics and began peforming as a child accordionist.

In Naples, she founded and conducted the East Naples Community Band, which she began as a long-time resident of Riviera Estates. She continued playing the piano daily in assisted living in Chicago and delighted residents by welcoming them to sing along.

She had been a tennis player and skier and participated in Senior Olympics in Naples. She had been an education leader in Collier County Hadassah, and volunteered as a judge for the Collier County High School Academic Tournaments and for the middle school Scholar Bowl.

She will be greatly missed by her family and the many people uplifted by her music. She was the loving mother of Gail MarksJarvis (Jim Jarvis) and Joy (Edgar "Ed" Johnson) Howard, proud grandmother of Rebecca Jarvis (Matt Hanson), Lauren Jarvis and Nathan (Erica) Howard, and great grandchildren Louis and Eve Howard. She was the dear sister of the late Jack (Muriel) Patek. Memorial service Wednesday, October 26 at 11:00 AM at the Brookdale Lake Shore Drive, 2960 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Cancer Research Institute, One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway, New York, New York 10006, www.cancerresearch.org Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com