Audrey Spiwak

Thursday, November 17, 1977, The Birmingham Eccentric reports: “Pianist prepares for recital—Mother-wife rekindles her postponed career.” “Audrey (Mrs. Bertram) Spiwak could model high fashion clothes. A tall brunette, she’s willowy and attractive. Or she could be a journalist, since her writing skills once earned for her the offer of a full college scholarship. Instead at 43, she will give her first solo piano recital at the Birmingham Community House. This might not be so unusual except that Mrs. Spiwak is the wife of a busy doctor and the harried mother of five children. She's a full time homemaker, hostess, cook, laundress, chauffeur and music student. Why, then, did she decide on a concert? "Well" said Mrs. Spiwak, "just as I am a wife and mother, I am also a pianist. It's not enough to say I am a pianist. I have to be a pianist. I must perform. At age 43, I think it's time. These are the good years."" The multi-talented and fiercely independent Audrey took off thereafter on a 40-plus year journey of honing her artistry and sharing her music. As a member of Friends of Four Hands piano organization and the Ficici and Spiwak Piano Duo, in addition to her solo work, Audrey enjoyed the classical piano repertoire as well as contemporary compositions, many by her teachers, Julius Chajes and Tom Kuras. Her husband, Bert, was her sound man, lighting designer, roadie, and biggest fan. They often hosted house concerts where, not only would Audrey be the performer, but she would be the chef and host preparing and presenting a delectable brunch repast for the attendees. As a writer, Audrey was one of the most published contributors to the Florida Sun Sentinel Letters to the Editor Column. Whether it had to do with Medicare funding, the Florida Education System, or health insurance rates, she made her case in clever and creative ways including using alphabetical acrostics and personal analogies. Audrey also could be counted upon for delivering an original rhyming poem for any occasion particularly for birthdays and anniversaries for her children, grandchildren, extended family, and friends. Audrey was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1934, the third of three children of Isadore and Lillian Seiger. She and Bert raised their family in Birmingham, Michigan, before retiring to Boynton Beach, Florida in the late 1990s. She died on January 29, 2026, at her home in Houston, Texas surrounded by her caregivers. She was 91 years old. Audrey was predeceased by her husband, Bertram J. Spiwak MD; her parents and her brothers, Rabbi Chaim and Daniel Seiger. She is survived by her five children, Deborah, Alana (Sam Stolbun), Susie (George Merijohn), Aaron (Lynne) and Mimi Harris (Wade); as well as her grandchildren, Seth Stolbun (Isabelle Asakura), Ariel Stolbun (Adam Stein), and Cori Stolbun (Philip Smith), and Marissa and Lauren Spiwak, and great-grandson, Solomon Smith-Stolbun. The family is indebted to Ms. Cheryl Mills and her team of compassionate caregivers, Vivian Robinson, Rudolph Wright, Rachel Mulugeta, Abby Anyanwu, and Katrina Patterson, for their exceptional care, nourishment, and love. Contributions may be made in memory of Audrey to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/donate), Breakthrough Type 1D - formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (https://www.breakthrought1d.org/ways-to-give/), or a charity of choice. A graveside service will be held at 12:30 pm on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas 77074.