Lillian Kersh

Lillian Nathan Kersh, 92, passed away on October 12 at Vantage House Retirement Community, Columbia MD. Beloved wife for 54 years to the late Ira Kersh, her high school sweetheart; predeceased by her sisters Sophie (Morris) Kominsky and Bernice (Ernest) Zimmerman. She was born during the flu epidemic of 1919 to Ida Mamie and Reuben Nathan. She and Ira married in 1939, raised their family in Albany Park (Chicago), retired to Wilmington, NC (1980), and became a resident at Vantage House in 2004.

Lillian’s life was filled with music and with her family. As a young pianist she performed in the Chicago area, but her real love was teaching piano to students of all ages. She began this career at age sixteen, and continued to teach, and perform, until age ninety when a stroke prevented her from continuing. Even when she moved to Vantage House at age 85, she continued to give recitals, lessons, and accompany the Vantage House choir.

Lillian created special and loving relationships with her daughters, sons-in-law and with each of her four grandchildren whom she encouraged and supported in every phase of their lives. She didn’t miss a graduation, a recital, a play performance or a special birthday, and was fortunate to walk down the aisle at each grandchild’s wedding.

Lillian made friends wherever she lived, and her friends and her children’s friends knew they were always welcome in her home. Judaism was a vital part of her life; in Wilmington she learned to read Hebrew and a Bat Mitzvah at 83rd. She was a member of Temple Beth Israel (Chicago/Skokie), and Temple of Israel (Wilmington, NC), and even at Vantage House explained Jewish holidays and traditions to other residents.

Lillian is survived by her daughters Rabbi Linda Kersh Steigman, Overland Park, KS, and Barbara Kersh Miller (Dr. Michael) of Columbia, MD; by her grandchildren Ellen Steigman (John Valentino), Mandeville, LA, Stephen Steigman (Dr. Tamara Falicov), Kansas City, MO, Jonathan Miller (Rebecca), Redmond, WA, and Sara Walters (Dr. Jeffrey), Lafayette Hill, PA. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren, Andrew, Jason, Ilan and Avital, ex-son-in-law William Steigman, as well as by loving nieces, nephews, and friends.

Contributions to the Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, 711 3rd Avenue # 900, New York, NY 10017-4039/www.jdc.org