Obituary: Dr. Arlene Lois Benuck Wildstein

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Dr. Arlene Lois Benuck Wildstein (Ahoova bat Rayna Devorah V’ Yaakov) on Sept. 13, 2024, at the age of 88. Arlene died peacefully in her sleep after battling a series of illnesses over several years.

Arlene was born on Feb.7, 1936, to Rose and Jack Benuck of Chicago, Ill. Throughout her life, Arlene had a love of learning and enjoyed a great sense of humor. She had gifted skills in interior design and loved music, art, and travel. Strongly committed to her family and Judaism, she was among the first women to have a bat mitzvah in the city of Chicago, a milestone that reflects her pioneering spirit and dedication to her Jewish heritage.

Arlene’s academic path began at Syracuse University and continued at The University of Chicago. In 1954, at the age of 18, she married Walter Wildstein, her beloved husband of nearly 70 years. Shortly thereafter, Arlene paused her education to start a family, and together they raised their three children, Caryl, Robert, and Sharon. With characteristic courage and reflective of her life-long dedication to learning, Arlene returned to Georgia State University at the age of 35 to earn her BA, MA, and eventually PhD in educational psychology–an unusual accomplishment for a woman of her generation. For many years, she was a practicing educational and forensic psychologist.

Arlene, along with her husband, Walter, were longstanding, active members of the AA Synagogue and strong supporters of the Atlanta Jewish community.

Family was the cornerstone of Arlene’s life and grew to include eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. She will be deeply missed by her husband, Walter; children, Caryl (Howard) Cohen, Robert (Sherri) Wildstein, and Sharon (Mark) Reich, all of Atlanta, Ga.; grandchildren, Benjamin (Meg) Cohen, Daniel Cohen, Joshua Cohen, Evan Wildstein, Elana Wildstein, Jacob Reich, Benjamin Reich, Micah Reich; and great-grandchildren, Jonathan and Gabriel Cohen. She is the sister of Larry (Elaine) Benuck of Atlanta, Ga., and Irwin (Dorene) Benuck of Chicago, Ill.; sister-in-law of Gilbert (Lynn z’’l) Wildstein of Charleston, S.C., and Albey (Josie z’’l ) Wildstein of Atlanta, Ga. She will be lovingly remembered by her numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Arlene’s funeral was held at Arlington Memorial Park on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024. Rabbi Neal Sandler officiated.

Sign the online guest book at www.jewishfuneralcare.com. Donations in Arlene’s memory may be made to Ahavath Achim Synagogue or Lone Soldier Center (lonesoldiercenter.com), or an organization of your choice. May her memory be for a blessing. Arrangements by Dressler’s Jewish Funeral Care, Atlanta 770-451-4999.

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