Norristown's Freda Hirsch, Artist, Architect, Business Owner, Passes Away

PHOENIXVILLE, PA -- Phoenixville Mayor Michael Speck has issued a proclamation in honor of the recently deceased owner of a widely loved market in the borough.

Freda Hirsch, the longtime owner of Hirsch’s Market on a residential block of Washington Avenue, has passed away at 97.

Hirsch, born in Norristown, was a 1936 graduate of Phoenixville High School, a committed painter, and an active and widely loved fixture in the community.

Speck’s proclamation declared February 28 as Freda Hirsch Day in her honor. The proclamation reads:

WHEREAS, The Borough of Phoenixville seeks to honor Freda Hirsch in their efforts to promote her life and legacy in the Borough of Phoenixville; and

WHEREAS, Freda graduated from Phoenixville High School in 1936 and was always a lover of the arts ; and

WHEREAS, Freda studied fashion illustration in Philadelphia and later turned her studies to drafting for the State Department of Transportation; and

WHEREAS, Freda’s artist works include the Gay St Bridge in Phoenixville along with other bridges in the region; and

WHEREAS, Freda was a wife to husband, Irving and was also a mother of 4, including a set of twins; and

WHEREAS, Freda and her husband took over her parents’ grocery store in 1951; and

WHEREAS, Freda closed her store after 59 years in the summer of 2010 but will always be remembered as an institution in this community.

The obituary included below is courtesy of the Campbell, Ennis, and Klotzbach Funeral Home in Phoenixville.

Freda Hirsch, age 97, was the wife of the late Irving Hirsch, formerly of Phoenixville, PA. She died early Thursday morning, Feb. 25, 2016, in the Sanatoga Center in Pottstown, PA.

Born on Feb. 28, 1918, in Norristown, PA she was a daughter of the late Israel and Yetta Socket.

She was a 1936 graduate of Phoenixville High School. Mrs. Hirsch worked as the owner/operator of Hirsch’s Market on Washington Avenue in Phoenixville, PA for 59 years. Freda studied fashion design in Philadelphia after graduating high school. She later enrolled in drafting school and accepted a position with the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, drafting the original designs of the Gay Street Bridge.

Freda also used her artistic skills as a portrait artist on the boardwalk scene in New Jersey. Taking to the canvas in her 70’s, Freda painted for 20 years and had several one-woman art exhibits in Phoenixville. Mrs. Hirsch was a member of the Congregation B’nai Jacob Synagogue in Phoenixville for many years.

Mrs. Hirsch is survived by three sons, David B. (Linda) Hirsch of Brentwood, TN, Charles A. (Janet) Hirsch of Phoenixville, PA, Barry (Gail) Hirsch of Alburtis, PA; daughter, Marjorie A. (Lawrence) Salutric of Limerick, PA; seven grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Funeral Service at the Campbell-Ennis-Klotzbach Funeral Home, Inc, 610 South Main Street, Phoenixville, PA, on Tuesday March 1, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. Officiating will be Rabbi Jeff Sultar. Burial will be held in the B’nai Jacob Cemetery, Phoenixville, PA. Friends will be received from 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. Monday evening or from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. Tuesday morning at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made to any Phoenixville charity in her name. The video tribute may be viewed and condolences may be made by visiting www.PhoenixvilleFuneralHome.com.