Mildred Kirsch

1927 - 2021

Mildred (Millie) Kirsch 93, of Highland Park, passed away on May 8, surrounded by loving members of her family, her two dogs and her caregivers. Millie, born on August 19, 1927, to Max and Mary Spiegel, came into this world with her twin sister and lifelong best friend, Phyllis, in Chicago, Illinois. The "Spiegel Twins" attended South Shore High School and went on to graduate from the University of Illinois. Millie studied Education and Spanish and decided to dedicate her teaching career to underprivileged children. While at Champaign, Millie met Daniel Kirsch, a WWII veteran, and the two began dating, ultimately being married in 1952. They had three children, Ellen, William and James. She loved education and took great pride in the accomplishments she had in the classroom. She worked very hard for many years, waking early to teach school in the inner city of Chicago, coming home to prepare dinner for her family and then grading papers until late in the evening. Millie had a unique caring nature and a warm, bright smile. She made friends easily and enjoyed numerous lifelong friendships. She always kept her door open and welcomed all into her home. She was like a second mother to her children's friends and was quick to offer comfort or a caring word to any child in need. She was an accomplished artist, painting in oils and watercolors. She was prolific in her artwork and many of her pieces grace the walls of homes throughout the Northshore and beyond. Millie was ahead of her time when it came to many things, including physical fitness, health food and spirituality. She ran the Highland Park 10k in her late sixties and enjoyed tennis. Millie was influenced at an early age by her Uncle Harry, who taught her the benefits of a healthy diet. She was raised in a traditional religious home and had a great love and respect for her faith. She had tremendous love for her mother and father, who she absolutely adored. Millie enjoyed the same quality relationship with so many of her family and friends. She loved so dearly Aunt Annie, who gave her the love of animals, her Aunt Fanny, her Uncle Jake, and her cousin Richard who she spoke to frequently until the end of her years. She had such wonderful and rich friendships, Rhoda, Rosalie, Jackie, Kendra and Arleen, just to name a few. The Spiegel Twins had a bond unlike another. In many ways, they were living in parallel. In fact, Millie's son, William, and Phyllis's daughter, Pamela, were born on the very same day, at almost the exact same time. They had mutual love, affection, and respect for each other. Mildred Kirsch was an inspiration to her loving family including her children, grandchildren, sister, nieces and nephews, including her daughter Ellen and her grandson Jonathon who she loved very dearly. In lieu of flowers, because of her love for animals, please consider a donation in Mildred's name to PAWS: https://my.pawschicago.org/milred-kirsch/Donate. Graveside service 3 PM Wednesday, May 12 at Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, IL.