Miriam (Mimi) Porile died on December 7, 2023, at Westminster Village in West Lafayette, Indiana.
She was born to Johanna and Jacob Eisen on December 16, 1933, in Bialystok, Poland. When she was two years old, she and her immediate family immigrated to the United States, in 1935, to escape the war. Mimi’s family re-located to Chicago, Illinois, where she grew up, and at the age of 16, enrolled at the University of Chicago on an early entry program for high school students. While at the University of Chicago she met her husband, Norbert (Tommy) Porile. They were married in 1957 and enjoyed almost 56 wonderful years together.
Mimi worked as a schoolteacher for many years and went back to school herself to pursue a master’s degree in media science. Upon graduation, Mimi worked for Purdue University.
Tommy and Mimi’s life revolved around the academic world of Purdue. She was a wonderful hostess to the many graduate students who came from all around the world to study in her husband’s nuclear chemistry lab, opening their home and treating the students to old fashioned American hospitality during their time there. Mimi also loved to travel, and she traveled most of the world for fun or in the context of Tommy’s professional work.
Over the years she enjoyed going to classes provided by the Wabash Area Lifetime Learning Association (WALLA), concerts at Purdue, participating in book clubs, and a long-standing cooking club with close friends. And of course, she loved being a grandmother to her two granddaughters, whom she loved keeping up with.
Miriam was preceded in death by her parents, Johanna and Jacob, her sister, Sarah Eisen, and her beloved husband, Norbert T. Porile. She is survived by her son, Dr. James Porile (Cristyne) of South Bend, IN, and her two granddaughters Jennifer and Alicia.
Visitation will be 12:00pm to 1:00pm Sunday December 10, 2023, at Soller-Baker West Lafayette Chapel 1184 Sagamore Parkway West, West Lafayette, IN 47906 with service to follow at 1:00pm. Rabbi Adam Bellows to officiate. Burial Temple Israel Cemetery in Lafayette.
The family wishes to thank the staff at Westminster Village and Franciscan Hospice for their kind and compassionate care of Mimi.
Donations can be made to either of those facilities or to Temple Israel. You may leave condolences at www.soller-baker.com