Ida Rebecca Tolchin
TOLCHIN: Ida Rebecca Tolchin, Jan. 10, 1930 – Sept. 26, 2022. Ida Tolchin (“Hikey” to her loved ones), beloved mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, died peacefully Sept. 26 at the Haven Senior Residence in the North Hills. A lifelong resident of Pittsburgh, Hikey grew up in the Hill District as part of a large and warmly supportive extended family. She was born in 1930, the eldest child of Bessie and Harry Popkin, and raised in a loving home with her late brother, Irving, in 1932. She graduated from the former Fifth Avenue High School in 1948 and had a career in retail as well as administrative and bookkeeping support in the social services field at agencies including Ursuline Support Services and the United Jewish Federation. But her main occupation throughout her life was inspiring and supporting her family. She married her first husband, Howard Friedman, in 1951 and her son Eric was born in 1952. Howard died in a tragic car accident in 1953 at which point she became a single parent, working to raise and support her son. She married Carl Tolchin in 1956. They had a long and happy life together until his death in 2011. Like many of her generation she grew up in modest circumstances but was enriched by the love and support of a devoted extended family, including her son, daughter-in-law, granddaughter, many cousins and other relatives. Throughout her life she took advantage of the rich and diverse cultural opportunities of Pittsburgh — theatre, symphony, opera, film — attending with close relatives or friends. Hikey is survived by her son, Eric Tolchin (Mary Ann Bohrer), and her granddaughter Lily Tolchin — all from Squirrel Hill — her niece Debbie Popkin Rudoy (Paul Rudoy) of Mt. Lebanon, other devoted nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. In lieu of flowers those wishing to honor her memory are encouraged to donate to the charity of their choice. PJC
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