Jill Birnbaum

Jill died peacefully on Saturday morning surrounded by an intimate circle of family and dear friends. She is survived by her beloved partner Warren Lee, her mother and father Margie and Buzz Birnbaum, her brother and sister-in-law Jeff and Kristen Birnbaum and niece and nephews T.J., Katelyn and Brendan, her grandmother Doris Zich, and countless friends and family from Beijing to London to Malaysia to Brooklyn.

Jill’s life was a spice rack of colors, flavors and culture. From the far corners of the world to the corner dumpling shop, Jill delighted in, celebrated, and shared delicious foods, artisanal crafts, fierce fashions, and people’s stories.  Her travel and adventures, and the pleasure she took in every encounter, was only matched by her delight in sharing that experience with others – a smile, a knowing wink, a conspiratorial nod of the head.

Jill lived several lives in the course of her 40 years. At the core of her passion was elevating the dignity of others – from connecting and creating families through international adoption in China and Nepal, to child and family social work in Brooklyn and London, to founding Sí Se Puede! (Yes We Can!), a workers cooperative in Brooklyn.

Jill was an intrepid traveler and polyglot. Jill’s appetite to connect with people led her to learn Chinese, Nepali, Spanish, Hebrew and smatterings of many other languages, including her own frequent made-up words and phrases which have worked their way into the lexicon of her many friends across the world.

Jill found her soul mate in Warren Lee. They lived together in New York and London, travelled the world, and were an insanely handsome couple. Jill delighted in bringing together her countless intimate friends and inspired community everywhere she went.

Jill’s memory will be a blessing to all who have known her.

Services at Temple Ohabei Shalom (1187 Beacon St., Brookline, MA), on Monday, June 10, 2013 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Newton Cemetery, 791 Walnut St., Newton, MA. Shiva will follow the service at 238 Rosemary St., Needham, MA on Monday and also on Tuesday 1-4 and 7-9 pm.

Please refer to the CaringBridge website below for more information.

In lieu of flowers or gifts, Jill’s family has asked people to honor Jill’s memory with a donation to one of the organizations Jill adored. For a list of these, please visit http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jillbirnbaum.