Obituary of Ilse Bachrach

Ilse Bachrach (March 31, 1941 – July 18, 2026)

Ilse (Klein) Bachrach passed away peacefully on July 18, 2026.  She had a happy and full life.

Born in Germany during World War II, she came to the United States by boat through Ellis Island in 1947.  Known for her quick wit, whenever asked if she would like to go on a cruise she would always reply, “I’ve done that once. Never again.”  Ilse grew up in the Washington Heights section of New York City in what was then known as Frankfurt on the Hudson.  She studied for one year at SUNY New Paltz before transferring to CCNY, graduated in 1963 and went on to a Master’s Program in Sociology and Sociological Research.

Married for 61 years, Ilse and her husband, Henry, lived together in Chicago, Topeka, and Philadelphia, before returning to New York City in 1977. Ilse spent much of her life as a homemaker, staying home to raise her son Michael until he turned 16.  At that point she returned to the workforce and spent nearly 20 years working at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in their Recreation Office focusing on the arts. She retired and returned briefly to painting, something she had done through most of her life. She was always very proud that her paintings had been on display at the University of Pennsylvania.  She loved travel, museums, Sherlock Holmes, Perry Mason, Columbo, and eating a good steak. Her favorite places were Paris and New York.  She will be most remembered for her kindness, style, amazing cooking, love of dogs, her strolls with Henry through Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the many Broadway musicals she went to with Michael who was the apple of her eye, and reading books to her granddaughter Eve.

Ilse was predeceased by her mother, Hilda, her father, Isy, and her Yorkie, Missy, who was always part of the family. She is survived by her husband, Henry, her son, Michael, her daughter-in-law, Amy, and her granddaughter, Eve.

A graveside funeral will be held at Cedar Park/Beth El Cemetery, 735 Forest Ave, Paramus, NJ 07652, on July 20, 2026, at 1:00 p.m.

Shiva will follow for three days at Ilse and Henry’s home at 300 Mercer St. Apt. 33N, New York, NY 10003, at the following times: Monday (3pm – 5pm), Tuesday (1pm-4pm, 7pm-9pm), and Wednesday (1pm-4pm, 7pm-9pm).

 Shiva will then continue for three more days at Michael, Amy, and Eve’s home at 720 Ft. Washington Ave. Apt. 4S, New York, NY 10040, at the following times: Thursday (7pm-9pm), Friday (1pm – 4pm), and Sunday (10am-12pm).

We thank all our friends and family who have offered their love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to your favorite cause or charity.