Estelle D. (Herlick) Weissburg
April 30, 2018

WEISSBURG, ESTELLE D. (HERLICK): Died, in the company of two of her children on April 30, 2018, in Houston Texas, after a brief illness, which had followed a remarkable recovery, after a not-so-brief illness. Estelle was born on Feb. 4, 1932, “the baby,” to Anna J (Wanetick) and Harry B Herlich, of Black St., East End of Pittsburgh. Estelle is survived by her sister, Adeline Edelstein, recently of Chicago now, Portland, OR, and predeceased by husband, James A. Weissburg, sister Florence Rudov and brother Lawrence Herlick. Estelle leaves daughter Rachel and James Garner, and their daughters Leah and Travis Wallman, all of Houston and Monica Garner, of Dallas; son David Weissburg and Lindy Cassidy and Evan and Lena of Lexington, MA and Steven Weissburg (the late Daria Donnelly) and Leo and Josephine of Cambridge, MA. Estelle was active in youth activities at B’nai Israel Synagogue. Estelle excelled intellectually, and charmed all with her ready, giant smile, her guileless personality, natural beauty and open heart. She first in her class and valedictorian from Peabody High School. She graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1953. Estelle and Jim married in 1954 and lived in Whitehall, in the South Hills of Pittsburgh. They were a founding couple of Beth Israel Center, in Pleasant Hills. Estelle was at times, President of the Center, and also of the Sisterhood. Beth Israel was a central aspect of her life. Estelle worked at Carnegie Mellon’s Hunt Botanical Library. She enjoyed Rabbi Solomon Freehof’s bookbinding circle at Rodef Shalom. Estelle’s most satisfying work was at the Cancer Guidance Institute, which connected patients with others similarly situated. A mysterious stroke struck her down in 1992, nearly killing her. But through her own and Jim’s (and their many friends’) truly heroic, and generous efforts, Estelle returned to living in her home in Whitehall. She later moved to Texas, where Rachel helped Estelle to live independently in her own apartment for many years. She also survived colon cancer, congestive heart failure, an aortic aneurysm, and the slings and arrows of daily life. She inspired all: exemplifying a heroic, honorable, always curious, life well lived. She was a perfect mensch. Her twin mottoes were: “If you have a job to do, do it now;” and, “I think I can, I think I can, I know I can, I knew I could.” Services at Ralph Schugar Chapel, Inc., 5509 Centre Avenue, Shadyside on Sunday at 3 PM. Visitation one hour prior to services (2 - 3 PM). Interment Beth Jacob Cemetery, New Kensington. Contributions may be made to: Temple Sinai, Houston; or Hadassah, Houston or Pittsburgh Chapter. www.schugar.com

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