Judy Hirsch

Judith Hirsch

• "I know how much Judy will be missed."

- Megory Anderson

Judith M. Hirsch, Ph.D. 61, died peacefully on April 25, 2010, at her home in San Francisco, surrounded by her family. She had pancreatic cancer. A skilled psychologist, Judy helped hundreds of families throughout her career at the Family Service Agency-San Francisco, and in agencies across the San Francisco Bay Area. She was an artist, a scholar, and a lover of nature. Judy was born in Chicago, Ill., second oldest of four children, and spent her childhood in the university town of West Lafayette, Ind. During the 1960's and 70's, she lived in Israel, spending time on a kibbutz and studying art at the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design in Jerusalem. Judy trained and worked as an art therapist in her early career, combining her love of art and her growing abilities in the mental health field. She taught art in the public schools, and later worked with developmentally disabled adults. As a scholar, she conducted research in the trans-generational transmission of trauma in Jewish Holocaust survivors and their children. She received her Ph.D. from California School of Professional Psychology in 2003. Shortly before her death, she was honored by the Family Service Agency of San Francisco. Judy was an extraordinary friend and co-worker, nurturing and caring for those around her. She listened intensely and valued each person who came into her life. Her friends, from childhood on to her years in San Francisco, were blessed by her giving nature. She was loved by many people. Judy saw beauty in the world around her, especially throughout her travels. She loved hiking, bird watching and was a passionate gardener. Her work was being with people, yet she also treasured her solitude, which she found in nature and through her art. She loved to read and to write from an early age, and was always surrounded by her many books. Her friends and family will miss her caring presence, her laughter, and her love. Judy was the daughter of Lotte Hirsch and the late Walter Hirsch of West Lafayette, IN. She was the sister of Martin (Joyce) Hirsch, of Glendale, CA.; Janet (Dan) Wittenberg, of Bethesda, MD.; and Dan Hirsch, of Oakland, CA. She loved being the aunt to Amy and Jenna Hirsch; Alexandra, Jamie and Andrew Wittenberg; and Leo, Julia and Sophia Hirsch. Graveside services were held in Lafayette, Indiana. A Memorial Service will be held at Sinai Memorial Chapel, San Francisco, on Friday, May 21st at 3:00pm. There will be a reception following the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Judys memory to: San Francisco Green Schoolyard Alliance or San Francisco Community Gardens. http://www.sfgreenschools.org/home.html http://www.sfgro.org Cards and condolences may be sent to: Judy Hirsch Memorial, PO Box 210328, San Francisco, CA 94121. A life well lived in love, friendship and natures beauty. 

Published in San Francisco Chronicle from May 16 to May 20, 2010