Grace Avril Hirsh

Grace Avril Hirsh, 90, born on March 6, 1926, in New York, passed away from natural causes January 1, 2017.
Grace was born an achiever. She graduated high school at 16 years old, going on to receive a Bachelors of Science degree in Biology from Syracuse University at 19. She met former paratrooper and NYU graduate Lloyd Hirsh and they ventured west to Southern California and were married at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Her work with cancer research at the City of Hope was very fulfilling to her along with raising their daughters Lisa and Jane. Retiring early she found her creative side, becoming a published weaver and creative art designer.
Grace was preceded in death by her parents Ruben and Frances Cohn, her sister Cynthia and her loving husband Lloyd.
She will be survived by and live on in the memories of her daughters, Jane (DuFour) and Lisa Hirsh, son-in-law Jim DuFour, her four grandchildren, whose frequent company she treasured, and four great grandchildren who brought her endless smiles.
If you wish to remember Grace, please recall her as a very caring and giving person and offer remembrances to her most favorite charities; Doctors Without Borders and Unicef. She also carried on her husband Lloyd's dedication to the ASPCA and the World Wildlife Federation.
In her last year, Grace suffered the ongoing effects of a significant stroke. She would want us to thank the caring staff at Sun Lit Gardens in Rancho Cucamonga which cared for her deeply and made her 24 hour care feel like home. They appreciated that behind her physical struggles was a highly intelligent and creative soul that greeted them with a smile and a kind word.
Grace has provided us with great inspiration to achieve. She cared deeply for those around her and never hesitated to offer assistance and support. She will be deeply missed.


She resided in Alta Loma, California at the time of her passing.
Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Covina, California.