Irmgard H. Brill's Obituary
Irmgard Hoempler Brill, age 93, of Rehoboth Beach, DE, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, July 6, 2026, under hospice care.
Born on February 26, 1933, in Tilsit, East Prussia, Germany, Irmgard was the daughter of the late Berta Helene Zirkel Fischer and the late August Hoempler, and was raised by her mother and step-father, Gustav Fischer.
She met the love of her life, Patrick John Brill, who was stationed in Germany with the US Army. They were married on Oct. 6, 1956, in Wendlingen, Germany. Together, they built a beautiful life spanning almost 65 years until his passing.
Irmgard was the matriarch of the family they created, an extraordinary wife, mother, homemaker, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was an unforgettable character – steady and resilient, often with a quiet disposition, but not afraid to speak her mind. She also had a strong sense of humor.
She was an award-winning gardener, a passionate and competitive bridge player, and enjoyed cooking and baking (her recipes are a family favorite to this day), reading, and German crossword puzzles. She was a champion when it came to decorating for the holidays and made Christmas especially magical.
She also loved traveling the world with her husband, family and friends. Some of her happiest moments were spent at home playing games like Mensch ärgere Dich nicht, Elfer Raus, and Guffy with her children, grandchildren, and nieces.
Early in her adult life, she volunteered as a fund-raiser to support individuals with cognitive challenges. Later in life, she successfully earned a real estate license and worked as an agent at Snyder Bros. in Bethesda, MD.
She is survived by her two children, Frank Patrick Brill (Lisa) of Southbury, CT, and Lewes, DE, and Andrea Brill Miller (Stephen) of Henrico, VA; five grandchildren, Ashley C.M. Hormel (Justin), Craig W. Miller (Ashley), and Kevin P. Miller, all of Virginia, and Michael N. Brill (Trish) of Texas and Jennifer B. Crane (Chase) of Utah; eight beloved great-grandchildren; her sister, Rosemarie Westermann; and many dear nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her siblings Harry Hoempler, Helga Hoempler, Hilda Kruse, Elfriede Krause, Lieselotte Bienert, and Siegfried Fischer.
The family extends their deepest appreciation to her Griswold caregivers, Joy and Doria, for the exceptional care, love, and comfort they provided.
A celebration of Irmgard’s life will be held in the fall in Rehoboth Beach. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the charity of your choice.
Please sign the tribute wall located at this website.
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