Ethel M. Hirsch

Margaret Ethel Hirsch, 97, passed away on August 6, 2022, at her home in Myrtle Beach, SC. She was surrounded by her loving family and husband. Ethel was born July 21, 1925, in Buffalo, NY.

Ethel met the love of her life, Bob, in 1942 at Crystal Beach in Ontario, Canada. Bob served as a United States Army Air Corps pilot for 3 years, where Ethel wrote him every day. Bob and Ethel married in 1946 when Bob returned from WWII. In 1969, they moved to Myrtle Beach, SC and built their home in Pine Lakes.

Ethel was the loving mother of 10 children who describe her as “always being there” for them. She found great purpose in being the amazing homemaker that she was and dedicated her entire life to it. She will be forever remembered for her extraordinary skills in the kitchen and for all the beautiful handmade clothing she created. She was an avid golfer until the age of 90 where she was chair of the ladies golf association at Pine Lakes Country Club.

Ethel was preceded in death by 3 newborns Catherine, Barbara, Mary, her parents George and Lillian Merkling, her brother Raymond Merkling, her sisters, Charlotte Witzel, and June Banaziak, and her beloved daughter Sally Hipp.

She is survived by her husband of 76 years, Bob, her six children, Susan Flegle (Wayne), Pat Bruce, Robert Hirsch (Donna), Mike Hirsch (Kathy), Karen Shank (Mike), and Nancy Capp (Tedd). She leaves behind 20 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren. Her legacy will always be a source of strength and comfort for them.

Ethel will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery. A private service will be held at a later date.

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