Meta Stern died on September 3, 2007 at the Kline Galland Home at the age of 93.
Meta was born in Mandel, Germany on June 22, 1914. She was the oldest of Moses and Sany Hirsch’s four children. In 1934, Meta married Ludwig Stern, a cattle dealer from Bat Kreutznah, and the couple settled in Weinsheim, Germany. In 1939, Meta and Ludwig fled Nazi Germany and came to America under the sponsorship of Meta’s cousin, Minnie Schoenfeld Arnstein.
Soon after arriving in Seattle, Meta and Ludwig joined the Jewish Club of Washington. There they met other Jewish German immigrants with whom they developed lifelong friendships. Meta served as hospitality chairman, a position that came to her naturally, as she was an excellent cook, baker and hostess. She was also in charge of the oneg Shabbats for Herzl Synagogue.
Meta worked as a meat wrapper at the Pike Place Market and then at the Brenner Brothers Bakery on Cherry Street before she and Ludwig opened their own business, Stern’s Market, around the corner from the Herzl synagogue, where the couple were active members. Meta was a smart and savvy businesswoman. She and Ludwig treated all their customers with kindness and respect and their business grew and thrived.
After Meta and Ludwig moved to Seward Park, they would hold annual SeaFair parties in their home, where upwards of 100 guests would attend. They would also host weekly Shabbat dinners, Pesach seders and Hanukkah get-togethers. Meta also loved to garden and her yard was the envy of the neighborhood. She also enjoyed making needlepoint pillows, which have become prized family heirlooms.
Meta was a warm-hearted, generous, and hardworking woman and she was respected by all who knew her. She was a true lady in every sense of the word. Most of all, Meta was extremely devoted to her family. Her children and grandchildren alike lovingly called her “Oma.”
Meta is survived by her two sons, Dr. Robert (Sheryl) Stern and Eddie Stern; grandchildren Tali Kaplan, Dr. Aaron (Zina) Stern, David (Alejandra) Stern, Leslie (Paul) Kaplan, and great-grandchildren Max, Sam, Adam, Rachel, Zachary, and Zoe. She will also be missed by her nephew Fred (Esther) Kahn and many great nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her husband Ludwig Stern and grandson Mark Stern.