Lynn R. Hirsch

Lynn R. Hirsch, lovingly dubbed “Danny” by her grandchildren, died at the age of 81 from metastatic breast cancer, at home surrounded by her family. From the time of her birth in Chicago, Lynn was a mighty spirit in a tiny body. When asked to describe herself in ten words or fewer, she wrote, “Fun, funny, thoughtful, positive (mostly), talkative and friendly” - an apt description. Lynn made lasting friendships wherever she went - pools and pickleball courts, the schools her grandchildren attended, Francis Parker School in Chicago, Gilda’s Club, while out house-hunting, the gym where she spent each birthday challenging classmates to do as many push-ups as her years on earth.

Lynn loved discovering local artists, trying new restaurants, exercising her right to vote, lounging poolside, basking in the sunshine, stashing Tootsie Rolls in not-so-secret places, and, most of all, doting on her grandchildren and her beloved Great Pyrenees, Pearl.

In her first marriage to Bennet B. Greenwald, she had three children and was deeply devoted to them and their children. In 1987, she reconnected with her longtime best friend, Thomas E. Hirsch, whom she had known since childhood. They married soon after, blending their families. In 1988, Lynn moved to Madison to be with Tom.

Lynn was a social worker at Thresholds School in Chicago. In Madison, she loved working at the Rodney Scheel House for people with HIV/Aids and being a job coach with Community Work Services.

Lynn volunteered time on the boards of the Rodney Scheel House, the Wingra School, and as chair of the city Disability Rights Commission.

Lynn is preceded in death by her parents Harold Rosenberg and Ada Kaplan Rosenberg of Chicago. She is survived by her brother Michael Rosenberg, sister Susan Manilow, and her adored nephews and their families, her husband Tom, her three children Herbert (Hubie) Greenwald, Jennifer Greenwald (Jerry Hass), Allison Greenwald (Sig Ueland), her stepchildren Adam Hirsch (Kate Farneth) and David Hirsch, and grandchildren: Lucia (Lulu) Guzman and Ruby Guzman and their father, Francis, Eli Greenwald, Olivia Greenwald, Zoey Ueland, Oliver (Ollie) Ueland, Piper Hirsch, Sydney Hirsch, and Skyler Hirsch.

Burial at Natural Path Sanctuary will be private. Shiva and memorial service details are available at Congregation Shaarei Shamayim: office@shamayim.org

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Gilda's Club Madison or Community Work Services.

Please share your memories of Lynn by posting in her Guestbook.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3610 Speedway Road Madison

(608) 238-3434