Obituary of Irene Feist

On April 21, 2018 Irene passed away peacefully after a brief illness. Irene was comforted by visits and calls at Kane Regional Hospital from her many family members. Irene was 86 years old. Irene Magdalena Feist was born in Schweidnitz, Germany on October 3, 1931. She was the youngest of 3 children to Martin and Anneliese (Bando) Feist. In the fall of 1952, at the age of 21, Irene came to America from Germany to serve as au pair to the Mihm family of Pittsburgh, PA. where she was welcomed as one of their own. Following her employment with them, Irene remained in Pittsburgh to be close to the Mihms. Irene transitioned from a German speaking au pair to an over 40-year career in the Attorney General’s Office of Consumer Protection where her tenure provided continuity across many administrations. She was also generous with her time outside of work and volunteered for many years at Kane Regional Center. Irene was very social and looked forward to time with friends and family. To share a tradition and memory from home in Germany, each year Irene sent every child she knew a beautiful, chocolate filled advent calendar for Christmas. She spent her Christmas and New Year holidays at her brother’s home in Massachusetts, and many other holidays with the Mihm family throughout the years. During her visits with family in Burlington Massachusetts everyone had food to prepare especially for her. Some of her favorites included Martina’s chocolate mousse, Michelle’s stuffed shells, and Hildegard’s many European specialties and traditional holiday dinners. In return, the family was often treated to Irene preparing a traditional German dessert. Irene was known to be very appreciative of a good meal and loved many different foods. When babysitting for the Sopher children she always requested her favorite franks and beans for dinner. Irene never lived in New England and she resided in Pittsburgh Steelers’ territory, but her love of football was centered around her favorite quarterback, Tom Brady, of the New England Patriots. She was always smiling, and even blushing, when his name was mentioned. She had a great sense of humor and her memorable laughter could be heard above the family New Year’s Eve parties as she caught glimpses of The Three Stooges’ marathon playing in the background. Irene was a loving woman who cared deeply for her family and friends. She lived a happy life in Pittsburgh where she enjoyed her routine of walking her neighborhood, having her hair done, visiting the library, and meeting friends for meals. Irene was the loving sister of Dr. Wolfgang Feist and wife Hildegard of Burlington Massachusetts. She was beloved aunt ‘Tante Irene’ to nephews, Wolfgang Feist of Landenberg PA, Manfred Feist and wife Michelle, niece Martina (Feist) Roth and husband John, great nieces Miranda Feist and Julia Feist all of Burlington Massachusetts. She was cherished friend to Marcia and Bob Lowe, and honorary family member of the Mihm family with special friendships that included Gaye (Mihm) Mansell, Jack Mihm, Carolyn (Mihm-Sopher) Martin and husband Terry, Steven Sopher and wife Jeanne, Gayle (Sopher) Zacharia and husband Carl, Pam (Sopher) Benoit and husband Joe, Karen (Sopher) McElhaney and husband Rich, Mary (Sopher) Scobel and husband Jim, Paul Sopher and wife Leslie as well as 35 Sopher grandchildren. Irene is also survived by many extended family members and friends in Germany and Austria. Irene was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Anneliese (Bando) Feist, her sister, Hella, and great-niece, Monica as well as cherished friends Eugene and Teresa Mihm, and Eugene ‘Buddy’ Mihm. Private graveside service to be held in Burlington Massachusetts.