ForeverMissed
Large image
Her Life
June 19, 2014

Miriam led an adventuresome, meaningful life. She was born in Cape Town, South Africa, to immigrant parents. She attended a Hebrew nursery school, and so was fluent in Hebrew from a young age. In 1947 at the age of 17 she went to Palestine, spending a year participating in a youth leader's course. She returned to South Africa and was active in Habonim. After graduating from the Hebrew Teachers Seminary she became a teacher in Cape Town. In 1950, Miriam and Len fell in love and in 1951 they married. Over the next 63 years they carved a life, searching for meaning, rather than following the path of conformity. They moved to Israel and lived on a Kibbutz where their two daughters, Smadar and Zivit were born. In 1966 the family traveled through Europe, making their way to their next home in Chicago. Miriam made 'home' for her family wherever they were. She was a nurturing, loving, and giving spirit. She always had an interest in human relationships and well being. Children experienced her gifts in her preschool and kindergarten career. In 1979 she graduated from the first Focusing Teachers Seminar conducted by Eugene Gendlin. This was a passion she retained for the rest of her life.

In 1980, while traveling through the Pacific Northwest, in search of their next step, Miriam and Len happen upon a simple resort called The Sou'Wester. They immediately fell in love with it, purchased it, and together created a home away from home for many creative, searching travelers. This was their opportunity to create an environment that called upon each of their gifts and creativities to come into play. There was much music, theater, bird watching, art, nature hikes, etc. with the ocean a few steps away. Many guests became lifelong friends and joined Miriam and Len at the kitchen table, with laughter, celebration, deep conversation, song, and of course Miriam's generous feasts. At the age of eighty-three, Len and Miriam sold their beloved Sou'Wester, and entered retirement in Portland.  In retirement, Miriam actively pursued her interest in literature, music, poetry, choir, Yiddish, yoga and knitting. Before she died Miriam knitted every person in the family a scarf. She was a warm, loving, and giving soul.    

Miriam started experiencing some cognitive impairment in her last few months of life. She began having trouble maintaining her balance. She fell and was hospitalized in early May 2014. While no bones were broken, tests revealed that Miriam had brain cancer. A shock to all of us, but it explained a lot. Her ability to communicate became extremely compromised, and she was unable to walk or care for herself. She was fully aware of her condition and what lay ahead. Her beautiful spirit was strong, loving and clear, but her body was giving out on her.  

Throughout the last month of life her family rallied around her. Her life long partner Len, her two daughters Smadar and Zivit, and David, Zivit's husband, were in constant attendance. Joe, Joshua and Sophie flew out to spend time with her. Adam and David's daughters, Moriah and Orna, often came to show their love and support. Some friends who chanced to hear of Miriam's condition came to visit. She enjoyed being surrounded by those she knew and loved. With help from hospice Miriam was as comfortable as possible. In time she died peacefully in her sleep.  

Miriam was all heart. At her request, Miriam's body was donated to science for education and research. In death, as in life, she continues to be giving and generous to others.