Charlene Hope Fischman, owner of Northbrook Jewelers, Northbrook, Ill., died Oct. 15 after battling cancer for years. She was 52.

Born January 1, 1953, Charlene Fischman grew up in the jewelry business. Her father, Lester Inbinder, still owns Wilmette Jewelers, where her interest in the business began. Seeing a need for more standardized and professional appraising, she reportedly was the first female senior member of the American Society of Appraisers (ASA) in the Chicago metro area.

In 1979, Fischman began her own independent jewelry appraisal business, Associated Gemological Appraisers. She later opened her own retail jewelry store, Northbrook Jewelers, in 1990. She kept the store, in spite of being diagnosed with terminal brain tumor, until 2001, when her illness no longer allowed her to work.

Fischman always will be remembered within the industry for her delightful spirit, creative talent, and unique custom designs. She possessed a vast knowledge of gemology and appraisal science that she shared freely with anyone interested in pursuing these fields.

Fischman received a bachelor of arts degree in 1974 in Special Education from Northern Illinois University. She met her husband, Dr. Steven Fischman, at NIU, and they were married in Northbrook on Sept. 11, 1977. She was the mother of two sons, Jason, 22, and Adam, 18.

Services were held on Monday, Oct. 18, at Moriah Congregation, Deerfield, Ill. In lieu of flowers, it is requested that you send donations to either Moriah Congregation, 200 Taub Drive, Deerfield, IL 60015, or to The Brain Tumor Research Fund at Evanston Hospital, c/o Nicholas Vick, M.D., 2650 Ridge Road, Evanston, IL 60201.

JCK