James Edward "Jim" Parrish, M.D.

Age 95, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, died peacefully at his Northside home on Sunday, January 18, 2026, after a life dedicated to service. Jim was born in 1930 in Pittsburgh to Earl Mathew Parrish and Margaret Murray Parrish. Raised in the Morningside neighborhood, his family then moved to Sewickley and later to Bellevue. His early education took a winding path-by turns at St. James, St. Francis Prep, and graduating from North Catholic High School in 1948.

James spent a year at Notre Dame Seminary before deciding that his calling lay in medicine. At Duquesne University he earned a BS degree in Chemistry in 1953, followed by medical school at Saint Louis University, graduating with his M.D. in 1957. He completed his training at Boston City Hospital, Barnes Hospital in St. Louis, Baylor University in Houston, and finally at Presbyterian Hospital in Pittsburgh.

In May 1961, while working at Presbyterian, Jim met Marlene Peternel, a research dietician. The two married on October 28, 1961, and soon welcomed three sons: Thomas Martin, Theodore Joseph, and John Edward "Jack", raising them in Houston, Mt. Lebanon, and later in Sewickley over a 24-year marriage that included many biking and ski trips together around the globe.

A staunch Pittsburgher, Jim and his young family returned to the Steel City in 1966 where he lived the rest of his life. He first established a private practice on Washington Road in Mt. Lebanon. In 1968, he accepted what he would later describe as his dream position at Allegheny General Hospital, where he combined teaching rounds, consulting work, and a hospital-based private practice, an arrangement that allowed him to mentor generations of physicians while continuing hands-on patient care.

Jim later met Christiane "Chris" Siewers, a fellow physician whom he married in 1997, and went on to enjoy a wonderful marriage of 28 years marked by intellectual and cultural exchange. They enjoyed world-wide travel with both of their families and pursued their shared love of photography and classical music.

Jim retired from full-time medical practice in 1998 at age 68, but retirement for him meant activity, not rest. He traveled extensively, visiting at least 36 countries over the course of his life, often by bicycle and with family. A lifelong lover of classical music, particularly opera, he attended performances in many of the world's great opera houses. He also volunteered as a physician internationally, including in Jamaica and Thailand, and locally through Catholic Charities Clinic, where he served part-time from age 80 until 86. Jim also cultivated an interest in woodworking, building much fine furniture in his later years.

Jim is survived by his wife Christiane Siewers; his sons Thomas Parrish (Janet), Theodore Parrish (Catherine), and John "Jack" Parrish; his stepchildren Christine Siewers Gardner, Fredrick Siewers (Helen), and Andrea "Scottie" Siewers Wellins (Christopher); his sister Margaret Ann; his brothers Thomas Parrish (Christel) and Earl Parrish; and his grandchildren Oscar, Nathan, Julius, Theo, Samantha, Maxwell, Anna, Maria, Mae, Zachary, and Emma, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother Paul Parrish. His example of service, curiosity, and a strong moral code has been particularly inspiring to recent generations.

Friends received at Wolfe Memorial, LLC, Forest Hills Chapel, 3600 Greensburg Pike, Pittsburgh PA 15221, on Friday, January 23, from 10am until the time of the funeral service at 11am. Burial at Penn Forest Natural Burial Park in Verona. A reception will be held from 1 to 5pm at Calvary United Methodist Church on Pittsburgh's Northside.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Jim's name to Calvary United Methodist Church, 971 Beech Avenue, Pittsburgh PA 15233.

Arrangements by Natural Funeral Company, www.naturalfuneralcompany.com.