Blanche Hirsch

GREENVILLE- Mrs. Blanche P. Hirsch formerly of South Buhl Farm Drive and Whispering Oaks in Hermitage, PA passed away peacefully on Tuesday evening March 14, 2017 following a period of declining health at St. Paul’s Home in Greenville, PA.  She was ninety-seven years old.

Blanche was born in New York, New York on November 27, 1919 the daughter of the late Benjamin and Miriam (Lorber) Rawitz.

She was a graduate of D. Witt Clinton High School and Penn State Shenango.  Before her marriage she worked as stenographer for United Jewish Appeal in Philadelphia, PA.  Blanche married her sweetheart Morris Hirsch on July 19, 1946, and together they would add to their family with their children Cynthia, Judith, Joel, and Barry.

Blanche was a longtime member of the former Temple Beth Israel in Sharon, PA where she taught Sunday School and was a life time member of Hadassah (International service organization for Jewish women).  She was also the former President of Temple Beth Israel Sisterhood (local service organization), volunteered for Headstart Summer Programs and a member of League of Women Voters.

One of our mother’s most passionate interests was literature. As a member of Book Club for nearly 40 years, she had a penchant for English Literature, notably the works of Jane Austen and E.M. Forester.

She leaves behind to cherish her memories her daughters Cynthia M. Kosut and her husband Robert, Judith A. Kelz and her husband Ted, sons Joel R. Hirsch and his wife Sonya, and Barry D. Hirsch and his wife Marlena; her nine grandchildren Michael and Kerry, Shoshona, Alexei and Laura, Lily and Austin, Martin and Karen, Daniel, Oliver and Cindy, Morey, Emily; and six great-grandchildren Eliana, Ben, Solana Bel, Grant, Henry, Grace.

Mrs. Hirsch was preceded in death by her beloved husband of more than thirty-six years Morris on March 10, 1983, and by her brothers Arthur and Leonard Rawitz.

Graveside funeral services for Mrs. Hirsch will be held on Friday March 17, 2017 at 11:00AM at Temple Beth Israel Cemetery with Rabbi Joseph P. Schonberger, DD of Temple El Emeth in Youngstown, OH officiating.

In remembrance of Blanche, donations in her name may be sent to Hadassah, Congregation Rodef Sholom or any library of your choice.

Arrangements are under the care of the Sample-O’Donnell Funeral Home in Sharon, PA.