It is with solemn reflection that we note the passing of Lois Jean Eskenazi on January 4, 2026, in Jupiter, Florida. She was ninety-two years of age. Her departure was marked by the same tranquility that distinguished her presence, occurring amid the profound affection that perpetually encircled her.
A native of Chicago’s Pullman District on its south side, she entered the world on February 20, 1933, the daughter of Sam and Helen Cohen. From this origin, she developed an enduring regard for communal bonds and interpersonal ties. Her academic path led to Indiana University, where an incidental introduction to Sidney Eskenazi initiated a marital union enduring over seven decades.
Her expressive pursuits centered on visual art, where a perceptive sensibility found outlet in painted and pastel compositions that elucidated the nuanced interiority of her figures. These works were presented in venues such as the Hoosier Salon and the Indiana State Fair, receiving commendation for their psychological resonance; observers often perceived the silent narratives within her portraits.
Her defining attribute was a serene disposition. She exemplified a fundamental benevolence, attending to others with a focus that conferred a sense of recognition and worth. Ostentation was unnecessary; her mere company provided solace and inclusion to kin, acquaintances, and even those newly met.
In collaborative conjunction with her spouse, she translated mutual aspiration into permanent societal benefit. Their charitable commitments substantially altered Indiana’s medical and cultural landscape, endowing institutions including the Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Hospital and Health network, the Eskenazi Museum of Art, and the Eskenazi School of Art, Architecture and Design at Indiana University. She valued her role within Indiana University’s Women’s Philanthropic Colloquium, cultivating enduring personal connections while furthering initiatives of personal significance.
A service in her honor will be conducted at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, January 15, 2026, at the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation (6501 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis). Interment will ensue at Etz Chaim Cemetery.
