Anastasia Hirschfeld

On Sept. 17, 2011, Anastasia "Ann" KosiukHirschfeld passed away in her sleep in her cherished home at Chateau Girardeau.

Born in Lavriv, Ukraine on June 22, 1915, she married Rev. Herbert Hirschfeld, a Baptist minister, in 1936. After enduring the calamities of World War II, she and her family emigrated to the United States in 1951.

After an initial few years in New Jersey, Ann and her family settled into a permanent home in Forest Park, Ill. (a suburb of Chicago), where she worked, raised her family and eventually enjoyed her grandchildren. Her efforts to learn English, American customs and way of life were supported by her beloved friends of the First Baptist Church of Maywood, Ill., with whom she kept in touch for as long as was possible. After 25 years of devoted service as a meticulous inspector of airplane engine components with Wire Cloth Inc. as well as having served as treasurer of her company union, she retired to the beautiful rolling hills of Southeast Missouri where she and Herbert spent their days cultivating their plot of land and participating in various activities and ministries in their church, First Baptist Church of Cape Girardeau.

Ann was known as a very socially active person with a real zest for life who also enjoyed singing in choir, gardening and traveling. She spoke five languages fluently, read extensively and found her greatest joy in serving her family elaborate meals on a beautifully set table. With her encyclopedic knowledge of the nutritional value of various foods, she prepared the healthiest and finest foods that no doubt contributed to the longevity of her husband, Herbert, who passed away in December 2001 at the age of 92, and she herself survived to celebrate her 96th birthday.

The final stage of her life began in 1994 when she and Herbert moved to the Chateau Girardeau. While her gardening was limited to her balcony and her kitchen space was significantly reduced, she enjoyed the fellowship, the opportunities and the loving spirit of the people who lived and worked at the Chateau. Every day she told her family how much she appreciated where she lived; the scenic location, the circle of friends, and above all the kindhearted staff. There was no other place she wanted to be.

Anastasia was preceded in death by her husband, Rev. Herbert Hirschfeld (Dec. 28, 2001), son Theodore Hirschfield (June 15, 2011); and great-grandson Craig Neal Calvin II (March 7, 2003).

She is survived by her son, George F. Hirschfield (Mary) of Lehigh Acres, Fla.; daughter-in-law Margaret Hirschfield of Lehigh Acres; granddaughters Ann Calvin (Craig) of Perryville, Mo., Grace Trendel (Martin) of Chicago, Winkie Ilic (Jovan) of Seven Fields, Pa., Lynn Colby Franklin (Kenneth) of Wheaton, Ill.; great-grandson, Mihajlo Ilic; and great-granddaughter, Cassondra Calvin.

She chose to donate her body to medical research at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.