Funeral Details

Renée S. Hirsch

December 27, 1939 - September 7, 2023

SERVICE INFORMATION

Date and Time

Sunday, September 10, 2023 at 1:00 PM

Service

North Suburban Synagogue Beth El
1175 Sheridan Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
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Clergy

Rabbi Michael Schwab
Rabbi Alex Freedman
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El

Interment

Rosehill Cemetery
5800 North Ravenswood Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60660
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Shiva

Hirsch-Schwartz Residence
1020 Chaucer Lane
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
847.433.0133
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Traditional Shiva.
Dietary laws observed.

Sunday, Monday and Wednesday: 7 to 9PM, minyan at 7:30PM

Tuesday and Thursday: 2-4PM and 7 to 9PM, minyan at 7:30PM

Shiva coordinator: Dina Shiner
djshiner05@gmail.com
773.817.3224

Memorial Contributions

Chicago Jewish Day School
3730 North California Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60618
www.chicagojewishdayschool.org
or
American Jewish World Service
45 West 36th Street
New York, New York 10018
www.ajws.org
or
North Suburban Synagogue Beth El
1175 Sheridan Road
Highland Park, Illinois 60035
www.nssbethel.org




OBITUARY

Renée Schwartz Hirsch, age 83, beloved wife of David Schwartz and the late Jay G. Hirsch; loving mother of Debbie (Mitch) Horwitz, David (Danit Steinbach) Hirsch, Lauren (Josh Thurman) Hirsch, and Susie Hirsch; stepmother to Jeremy (Shira) and Daniel (Lauren) Schwartz; adoring Grammy of Talia (Nate), Elana (Peter), Jonah, Ari, Ben, Gabriel, Micah, Ruthie, the late Maya Hirsch, Jacob, and Aaron; loving Mimi to Ayala, Elan, and Ayden; and delighted great grandmother to Remy, died peacefully at home on September 7, 2023 surrounded by her family. Renée grew up in Brooklyn, NY and got a degree in elementary education from Brooklyn College. After meeting and marrying Jay after just six weeks, she moved to the Chicago area where she resided for the rest of her life. She raised her four children, worked as a parent-infant educator with babies with developmental disabilities, and was the lead design consultant on the original Sassy developmental toys. She was an avid tennis player, a talented cook and baker (famous for her challah!), a world traveler, a consummate storyteller and kibbitzer, an enthusiastic nurturer, a skilled needleworker and sculptor, a lover of plants and flowers, and a Chicago Botanic Garden volunteer. Full of curiosity and charisma, she savored every experience big and small, and people most of all. She faced many health challenges throughout her life, persevering with grace, positivity and resilience. Renée exuded warmth and love and had a unique way of connecting with everyone she met. She had a deep, meaningful relationship with everyone she knew, but especially her children and grandchildren. Of all her many achievements, she was most proud of her family. Service Sunday 1PM at North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road in Highland Park. Interment Rosehill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Chicago Jewish Day School, 3730 North California Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60618, www.chicagojewishdayschool.org, or American Jewish World Service, 45 West 36th Street, New York, New York 10018, www.ajws.org, or North Suburban Synagogue Beth El, 1175 Sheridan Road, Highland Park, Illinois 60035, www.nssbethel.org. To attend the funeral livestream, please visit our website. Arrangements by Chicago Jewish Funerals - Skokie Chapel, 847.229.8822, www.cjfinfo.com


GUEST BOOK

We encourage you to share your personal condolences and stories of Renée S. Hirsch below and we will share them with the family.
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The entire Echt family sends their love and feel blessed that we knew Reneé. Our hearts are with her family.

Linda Echt
September 7, 2023
I did not know Renee personally, but from all the loving stories that I heard about her, I felt like I did. My sincere condolences go out to the family.

Peggy Antonasanti
September 7, 2023
Our hearts go out to the Hirsch/Schwartz families. Renee was a great friend and always fun to be with. She was part of our life that will never be replaced. We miss her already.
Love David and Sandy

David and Sandy Marcus
September 7, 2023
Dear Jeremy & shira~

Heartbroken to read this news. Renee was such a integral part of shaping who our children were growing up at North shore Congregation Israel, and then became as they each approached adulthood. We pray she did not suffer. Our thoughts, prayers and love being sent to all.

pat, steve, brett and robyn nisenholz

pat and steve Nisenholz
September 7, 2023
Our deepest and sincere condolences to the Hirsh family from Carlos Escobar and Magdalene and Barbara Korus.

Carlos Escobar
September 7, 2023
Dearest Family of Renee,
May Her Memory Be A Comfort For You.
I Loved Her. Her Spirit, Her Tenaciousness
For Life Inspite of All She Went Through.
Her Smile. Her Delightful Never Ending Conversation.
It Was Exciting To Be With Her.
She Was So Compassionate For Anyone In Need.
What an Example Of A MENSCH FOR ALL.!!❤️

"May God Console You Among The Other Mourners For
Zion And Jerusalem."

I

Elissa Rolnick Rubinstein
September 7, 2023
Renee and I grew up living 2 blocks away from each other. We knew each other from jr.high school,double dated,lived at each others houses,went to dancing school,and loved each other for all the years since then. A wonderful,wonderful friend,a fun loving woman,a beautiful person on the outside and the inside. I have told her so often in the last couple of years that she was my idol. One of the most courageous persons I know
My deepest condolences to her family who was so fortunate to have her as their mother and grandmother

Renee and Norm Roth
September 7, 2023
I shall miss you, my dear cousin Renee. When I moved to Chicago as a young adult you and Jay welcomed me to your family. You were my "parents" at my wedding, and shared with me the joy of my three sons. You were always so gracious and loving, interested in all around you. You made the world a better place, and shall be greatly missed. Debbie, David, Lauren, and Susan, I am thinking of you and share your loss. You were lucky to have such a wonderful mother.

Joanne Hennessy
September 7, 2023
Goodbye my lovely friend in Chicago. We met in person only a handful of times. But you being you a handful was no small thing. So, 40 years later the friendship we made is alive within me. Thank you for strolling over to me in Norway where the sun never sets. A metaphor for my love for you.
Your friend from NewYork. (But a Brooklyn girl like you)
Sad condolances to your wonderful family.
Rita





Rita Friedman
September 8, 2023
Debbie and family,
Sending sympathy on the loss of your dear Mother. Baruch Dayan Emet! May her memory be a blessing!

Terry Cohen Hendin
September 8, 2023
What a wonderful friend and person Renee was to all who knew her. She will be missed and always be remembered for the good heart she had.

Leigh Hofman
September 8, 2023
To all those near and dear to Renee, our heart goes out to you in your time of grief. I only met Renee a few times, but she was always so lovely and kind. Even a card she wrote sticks with me as it was so warm hearted and thoughtful. I'm grateful to have met her and that she was part of our family with David Schwartz, even if we were living far away from the regular daily lives of our extended family.

Lauren Grosskopf
September 8, 2023
My condolences to the Hirsch Family, to a good friend to my wife Helene and I. My thoughts and well wishes are to the Hirsch Family

Leon Brottman
September 9, 2023
When I think of Renee, it brings a smile to my face and warms my heart as I remember Renee and I playing tennis with our dear departed friends Wende Fretzin and Reva Plofsky. I remember all those lunch time get togethers with the "girls" as well as the couples get togethers with the "guys." I miss her already. My deepest condolences to both the Hirsch and Schwartz families. May her memory be a blessing.
Esther Silberman

Esther Silberman
September 9, 2023
Unfortunately we have our grandson's birthday party at the time of the service and my work schedule precludes me from flying in to attend the shiva. Please know that both Renée and Jay were not only my parents best friends, they became friends to me and my brother and sister as well. Our parents loved Renée and we loved her. I treasured the time we got to spend with her and the clear pride that she had as my family grew, she became close to my wife Lois, and our three boys. As life brought its pains and trials, Renée was always someone who was there as an empathetic lol listener, emotionally supportive even as she was going through her own pains and trials. I'll never forget that as troubled teenager, my parents sent me to spend a week at Jay and Renee's house, where while I had several long conversations with Jay in his office, the conversations that impacted me the most were with Renee around the kitchen table. That experience of someone connecting with you, who was authentically committed to your life's success, continued in all my interactions with Renee through to her last days. And while she will be sorely missed, I know by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her, her kindness and love will remain with me as long as I live.

Greg Selker
September 10, 2023
We were so honoured to be both at the wedding last week and at the service (virtually) today. Although we did not know her, Renee's love and compassion and joy was so wonderfully articulated by all the family, and we could see also those qualities in her children, especially Debbie, upon our first meeting, when she greeted us with such a warm smile and open arms. We send all the family members best wishes and many condolences at this sad and difficult time. May you have Renee's own resilience to carry you forward. With love and care, Alicia, Sandalia and Elena

Alicia Rouverol
September 10, 2023
Dear Hirsch Family,
Renee was a wonderful woman; always so warm and loving towards myself and my girls, Meara (who passed away in 2017) and Flyn. We will miss Renee's bright smile, warm heart and unconditional love.

Much Love,
Andy Goodman and Flyn Fitzgibbons

Andy Goodman and Flyn Fitzgibbons
September 11, 2023
Please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I worked with Renee in the Early Intervention program. Working with Renee, who was such a kind and fun person, taught me so much about working with families.

Cory Crock
September 13, 2023
Condolences and blessings at the loss of your loved one.

William Patton
September 18, 2023
To Renee's family,
I was lucky enough to know Renee and the Hirsch family for so many years. Our children grew up together and we always said high holiday services didn't officially begin until the Hirsch family arrived and made their way to the front, some with still wet hair!
Renee was a terrific woman, strong through her illnesses, heroic through Jay's, a grieving rock when her granddaughter was struck down. She introduced me to her second husband, smiling shyly and saying "he's the new husband." Truly a woman of valor she will leave so many memories for her family and friends to cherish. May her memory be for a blessing.

Sherry Fox
September 20, 2023