Memorial Gifts & Donations
Shirley Brodsky-Miller (nee Smulevitz), transitioned at the age of 85 on July 17, 2013, in Wilmington, NC where she has lived for the past eight years.
She was born on January 25, 1928 in Gary, Indiana. Her family moved to Chicago, IL where she married Ernest Brodsky in 1948 who preceded her in death. She later married Arthur Miller who preceded her in death. Together they lived a robust and active life in Chicago and then relocated in 2005 to Wilmington, NC where they blended “southern charm” with their “yankee” personalities.
Shirley is a graduate of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. While living in Chicago she worked for Children’s Memorial Hospital and later volunteered at Evanston Hospital caring for babies born with HIV. She also managed resale shops and did estate sales grossing a million in proceeds that benefited these children.
In addition to her husbands, she was preceded in death by a son, Gary A. Brodsky.
As a mother of six exceptional children, Shirley is survived by 5 of them, Frankie, Teddy, Cleo, Zita, and Anne and their families; a multitude of grandchildren, great- grandchildren, nieces and nephews, great- nieces and nephews, who called her “Safta”. She is also survived by several siblings and in-laws, all of whom will dearly miss her vibrant personality. She was greatly loved and cherished by family and friends; including strangers that Shirley made feel like family. Everyone held Shirley in the highest esteem and enjoyed her stimulating conversation, love of the arts and her infectious smile.
Shirley found beauty in everything and everyone through her bright clothing, adorning jewelry and tremendous sense of style and grace. She instilled in her family many lasting skills that will today give us strength, acceptance and confidence as her generous, gracious and dry sense of humor lives on with us, our families and friends.
Although we are very sad and miss her hourly, her spirit and presence lives on through all of us.
A bagels and nash brunch will be announced at a future date.
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Wilmington Funeral & Cremation, 1535 S. 41st Street, Wilmington, NC 28403 910.791.9099
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