Melba Diamond Kirsch of Denver passed away May 29, 2009, at her home. She was 87. Rabbi Steven Foster officiated at the service, held June 1 at Temple Emanuel. Interment followed at Fairmount. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
She was a vibrant part of the Denver social scene in her prime, the family said, known by far too many people to name here but respected by all of them for her wit and gracious nature.
Mrs. Kirsch was born in 1922 on Denvers West side to Jack and Esther Safer Diamond.
She graduated with honors from North High and DU. The first woman in her family to graduate from college, she was president of her sorority.
Following graduation she taught at Teller school and later instructed the confirmation class at Temple Emanuel.
Mrs. Kirsch belonged to Denvers pioneer generation of furniture families and took an active part at Jack Diamond Sales with her father and husband Lawrence Kirsch.
Her husband Lawrence predeceased her.
Mrs. Kirsch served as NCJWs president and later on the national board.
All three organizations honored her.
She loved art, particularly Asian art, Jewish folk art, Native America sculpture and Russian decorative boxes, and filled her home with paintings and sculptures from her travels.
In Palm Springs, she served as a docent at the Palm Springs Desert Art Museum for 15 years.
Declining health forced her to give up her home in California in 2002.
Mrs. Kirsch is survived by her sons Ken (Lee) Kirsch and Jeff Kirsch; and granddaughter Julia Rose Kirsch.
Contributions may be made to the Denver chapter of NCJW.
