Gertrude Swichkow (nee Astrachan), formerly of Milwaukee, died on June 22 of congestive heart failure. She was 93.
Born in Chicago, Swichkow attended Joseph Medill High School and graduated from Marquette University with a bachelor’s degree in education.
Before retiring in 1983, she taught special education in Milwaukee public schools.
Swichkow belonged to Beth El Ner Tamid Synagogue, where her late husband, Rabbi Louis J. Swichkow, was spiritual leader for many years. She also was a life member of Hadassah-Milwaukee Chapter.
According to her family, she regularly contributed to her husband’s sermons and delivered baked goods on a weekly basis to St. Joseph’s Hospital. She “taught all who knew her that we must be kind to each other.”
Her husband preceded her in death in 2003. She is survived by daughters Rashatee Levine of Wheaton, Md., and Deborah (Raymond Ellis) Swichkow of Mclean, Va.; sons Morton (Judy) Swichkow of Plano, Texas, and Daniel Swichkow of Buffalo Grove, Ill.; three grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
Rabbi Jonathan Glass, of Congregation B’nai Shalom in Buffalo Grove, Ill., officiated at graveside services held at Second Home Cemetery on June 25.
The family appreciates memorial contributions to the Milwaukee Jewish Federation or Hadassah.
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