Miriam Brody Sternberger
October 2, 2017
Miriam Brody Sternberger, known as “Mimi” was born in Monongahela, PA., daughter of Herman Jacob Brody and Emma Friedberg Brody. She graduated from Monogahela High School, Business Training College, now known as Point Park College and attended the University of Pittsburgh. She was predeceased by her brother, Jerome and sister Theresa Brody Weiss, she was the youngest and last remaining member of her family. She was married to Arthur Sternberger Jr., who also predeceases her, with whom she had three children: Ann, Joan and Arthur III. During World Wart II, in 1945, Mimi worked in Washington, DC, at the Department of State and was Personal Assistant to Adlai Stevenson when he was Special Assistant to Archibald Macleish who was an Assistant Secretary of State at that time. She was sent to London by the Department of State in 1945 to attend The Preparatory Commission which was convened to set The United Nations organization at the end of the war. As a going away gift before she left for London, Mr. Macleish gave her an inscribed and autographed book of his poetry which she treasured. He had won a Pulitzer for “Conquistador” which was included this book. As a member of the first staff of the to be United Nations Secretariat, she joined a remarkable, and, in many ways, a glamorous group, international in character, in a job that provided a front-row seat to events shaping the post-war and cold war years. Always were groomed and stylishly dressed, she was considered a most attractive figure. Working for the United Nations in New York, she was sent to conferences in London, Geneva and Havana, Cuba, setting up the International Organization on Tariffs and Trade. When she returned to Pittsburgh in the 1950s, wanting a change of pace, she took a job in the administrative offices of Saks Fifth Avenue which had just been established in Pittsburgh. She enjoyed the fashion scene and dealing with customers, but with the change of manager, her job was eliminated. She then worked for Dr. Paul Anderson, President of PA College for Women, now Chatham University, as his executive assistant. She also worked at the Jewish Home for the Aged, now know as Weinberg Village, in the directors office. Eventually, she went into real estate, becoming an associate in the east suburban part of the city. When Adlai Stevenson ran for president, she worked on his campaign. She was a voracious reader and loved learning. She was a member of OSHA, the continuing education progress at Carnegie Mellon, loved music, attended Pittsburgh Symphony concerts, Pittsburgh Opera performances and was a member of Carnegie Museum of Art. These were her lifelong activities. She leaves her dearly loved three children: Dr. Ann Connaghan (Ron Skrocki), Joan (Jim) Jacobson, Arthur (Lisa) Sternberger, seven adored grandchildren; Tony (Angie), Joseph Connaghan, Sean (Janelle) Connaghan, Jamie and Andrew Wasserman, Jake and Leah Sternberger, one great-grandson Ronan Connaghan as well as two nieces and a nephew, who were all close to her: Shelly (Henry) Zegart, Janis(Harvey) Harrison, Jay (Ellen) Weiss. She was a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. Services and Interment were PRIVATE. Arrangements entrusted to Ralph Schugar Inc. www.schugar.com
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Your Mother was my neighbor at Brentmoor. She was so nice and very classy. I always told her she looked like Jackie Kennedy. She would smile. I enjoyed reading her obituary, beautifully written. She would be proud. Hold on to those beautiful memories!!
By Linda Baker - October 10, 2017
So glad I had the privilege of knowing Mimi. She was a gem.
May she always be of blessed memory.
By Michael Roediger, Dayton, Ohio - October 03, 2017
With sympathy and admiration for Mimi and her love of the Arts. Her family, especially our colleague Joan, will remain in our thoughts.
By The Dayton Art Institute - October 03, 2017