Jodie Shorin Hirsch, a beloved wife, daughter, sister, and friend, passed away on October 31, 2020, at the age of 57. She was the daughter of Arthur and Beverly Shorin, the owners of Topps, a company that produces trading cards and candy. She was also the sister of Amy Silverstein, a bestselling author and a three-time heart transplant recipient. Jodie Shorin Hirsch’s cause of death was not publicly disclosed, but her family and friends mourned her loss and celebrated her life.
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A Supportive Sister to a Heart Hero
Jodie Shorin Hirsch was a supportive sister to Amy Silverstein, who was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle, at the age of 24. Amy Silverstein received her first heart transplant in 1988, and wrote about her experience in her memoir, Sick Girl, which won a Books for a Better Life Award in 2007. Jodie Shorin Hirsch was by her sister’s side throughout her medical journey, offering emotional and practical support.
Amy Silverstein’s first donor heart lasted for 26 years, but eventually succumbed to vasculopathy, a condition that causes vascular lesions that can be triggered by some medications. In 2014, Amy Silverstein underwent a second heart transplant in Los Angeles, where she was surrounded by her husband, Scott, and a group of friends who flew in from different parts of the country to be with her. Jodie Shorin Hirsch was one of those friends, and she stayed with her sister for several weeks after the surgery.
Amy Silverstein wrote about her second heart transplant and the power of friendship in her second memoir, My Glory Was I Had Such Friends, which was published in 2017. The book was praised by critics and readers alike, and was optioned for a television series by J.J. Abrams and Jennifer Garner. Jodie Shorin Hirsch was featured in the book as one of the friends who helped Amy Silverstein survive and thrive.
A Loving Wife and a Generous Philanthropist
Jodie Shorin Hirsch was married to Steven Hirsch, a lawyer and a partner at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom. The couple lived in New York City and had two children, Daniel and Rachel. Jodie Shorin Hirsch was a devoted mother and a caring wife, who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.
Jodie Shorin Hirsch was also a generous philanthropist, who supported various causes and organizations. She was a board member of the UJA-Federation of New York, a Jewish charity that provides humanitarian aid and social services to people in need. She was also involved in the American Heart Association, the Women’s Heart Health Foundation, and the Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute, among others. She was passionate about raising awareness and funds for heart disease research and treatment, especially for women.
A Heartbreaking Loss for a Family of Heart Warriors
Jodie Shorin Hirsch’s death came as a shock and a tragedy to her family and friends, who expressed their grief and condolences online and in person. Her sister, Amy Silverstein, who had been battling her own health issues, posted a tribute to Jodie Shorin Hirsch on her Facebook page, saying:
“My sister Jodie died yesterday. She was my best friend, my hero, my everything. She was the most beautiful person I have ever known. She was kind, generous, loving, smart, funny, brave, and strong. She was the best sister anyone could ever have. She was there for me through every challenge and every joy. She saved my life more times than I can count. She was my heart. I don’t know how to live without her. I love you, Jodie, more than words can say. You are my angel now. Rest in peace, my sweet sister.”
Jodie Shorin Hirsch’s funeral was held on November 2, 2020, at the Temple Emanu-El in New York City, where hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects and honor her memory. She was buried at the Mount Hebron Cemetery in Flushing, Queens.
Jodie Shorin Hirsch’s cause of death remains unknown, but her legacy lives on in the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved her. She was a remarkable woman who touched many lives with her kindness, generosity, and courage. She was a sister, a wife, a mother, a friend, and a heart warrior, who will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
