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Susan Zane Obituary
Susan "Sudy" Reinauer Zane passed away suddenly on February 19, 2011. She is survived by her husband of 19 years, Alan Zane; her children, Amy and Randall Blumenthal; daughter-in-law, Sabra Krock, of New York City; step son, Randall Zane, and wife Pamela of Corpus Christi, TX; step daughter, Cheryl Zane of Houston, TX; step son, Bradley Zane, and wife Melissa of Flower Mound, TX; step son, Robert Zane of Frisco, TX; and step daughter, Susan Epstein, and husband Robert of Austin, TX;. Sudy was adored by 11 grandchildren: Max Blumenthal; Andrea and Stacy Zane; Arielle, Alyssa, Julianna and Joshua Epstein; Richard and Julia Zane; and Audrey and Aiden Zane. She is also survived by her brother, David Reinauer, and wife Anne of Lake Charles, LA; and twin sister, Jere Glaser, of New Orleans, LA.
Sudy was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on September 23, 1943, graduated from Lake Charles High School in 1961, and the University of Illinois in 1965. She moved to Houston in 1975. She initially worked in the advertising department of the Houston Chronicle and soon entered the insurance business with the Connecticut Mutual Insurance Company. Insurance and estate planning became a lifelong passion of hers, mainly for the assistance she was able to offer to families in understanding and planning for their future. Her clients were particularly moved by her ability to connect with them on both emotional and analytical levels. Over many years, she became a trusted advisor and worked tirelessly to refine her technical knowledge. A true relationship builder, she pioneered a way for businesswomen to network with each other to provide contacts, access to business leads and support. In 1976 in this context, she started "women's breakfast clubs," ultimately starting 12 clubs including the River Oaks Breakfast Club, Charter 100 Breakfast Club, the Women's City Club and the Jewish Federation of Greater Houston Breakfast Club. These are the largest such groups in Houston and have provided a high degree of emotional support, business guidance and pure friendship to countless professional women.
Sudy had a vivacious spirit, energetic demeanor and generous character, as evidenced by her many friends and diverse interests. She was passionate about the arts, was working diligently to achieve Life Master status at bridge, and recently became a mentor for the Brigid's Hope Program, a group that helps women re-integrate into society after incarceration in Texas jails. With her husband, she literally traveled the world, exploring all seven continents and over 75 countries in the past 20 years including, to name a few of the more exotic adventures, Bhutan, Central Asia, and Antarctica.
Sudy could light up a roomful of people, share an intimate conversation or nurture a distant e-mail exchange. Her infectious smile and abundant laughter were always easily at hand. Full of stories about travel and life, a reliable and willing play date for her adoring grandchildren and simply a great listener, she will be dearly missed by her family and numerous friends.
The memorial service to celebrate the life of Sudy Zane will be held on Monday, February 21, 2011, at 1 pm at Temple Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, Texas 77096.
A graveside service will be held on Sunday, February 27, 2011, at 11 am at Orange Grove-Graceland Cemetery, in Lake Charles, Louisiana.
Should friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Brigid's Hope, 1117 Texas Ave., Houston, Texas 77002.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Susan Zane
Nancy Bradley
February 14, 2022
Some bright lights never dim, and Sudy's light is shining as bright as ever! She was much loved and admired!
Erica Grimes
March 20, 2011
Dearest Amy, Randy and Alan,
I am numb. I was looking up a link on Facebook and evidently Sudy had been looking for me. I am just so sad that we did not connect again before I saw this. I really would like someone to contact me please. All my love, Erica
Helen & Larry Wilk
February 28, 2011
Larry and I send our most sincere condolences to you Al and all the family who have lost such a dear member. we are glad we had the opportunity to know Sudy. May all the wonderful memories bring you comfort in this sad time.
Walter Cruden
February 24, 2011
Sudy enhanced the world and she will continue to have positive and active impact via friends and family. Alan, these difficult moments are a significant instant in your life. You will always have a broad portforlio of wonderful memories to share and upon which to build a better world. I personally saw Sudy imprinted many people, especially you. My sincerest condolences.
February 24, 2011
My Mother ,Sister and I want you to understand and
Remember that your loss is shared by many friends who care
and that you're in our thoughts and hearts and in our every prayer
May you find the courage to face tomorrow in the love that surrounds you today
Elizabth Helman, Tootsie Helman Founret & Michael Helman
Lillie Ray Levy
February 23, 2011
Please accept the condolences of my brother, Sam, and myself. We were originally from Lake Charles and attended Temple Sinai with the Reinauer family. Lillie Ray Levy
February 23, 2011
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
February 23, 2011
Sudy was an amazing lady, and she touched many lives. I feel very fortunate that I had the opportunity to know her and work with her. Her family will remain in our thoughts and prayers.
"Wherever a beautiful soul has been, there is a trail of beautiful memories."
Regina Walker - Brigid's Hope at The Beacon.
Andrew Hoffman
February 23, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family. I'm sorry we don't know each other better
Andy, Martina & Max
Alicia Honesty
February 23, 2011
My prayer is that God will comfort you all during these difficult days. May He give you the strength to help you cope and endure.
Dottie Brooks Lawler
February 22, 2011
Deepest sympathy to Dr. Zane and his family. My thoughts & prayers are with you now and always. May you find comfort in the many happy memories shared in your time together.
Laura Geyer
February 22, 2011
Dr Zane and families,
May the memories you hold in your heart bring healing and peace.
Laura Benefield Geyer and family
Joe Reichek
February 21, 2011
I was shocked when I heard of the passing of Sudy. Gail and I so enjoyed our times with Sudy and Alan and will miss her terribly. Our thoughts and prayers are with Alan and family.
Lindsay Aronstein
February 21, 2011
I will miss Sudy's beautiful smile and spirit. I am grateful to be a member of ROWBC which Sudy founded and she was my mentor in the club...words can't express my sadness.
My thoughts are with her family and her many friends.
Debbie Marentette
February 21, 2011
My prayers are with you and your family. I was Sudy's mentee through the Brigid's Hope program and wanted to share with you that her presence in my life for such a short amount of time has changed me and the direction of my life forever. I miss her and will never forget her and her kindness, generosity and especially her sense of humor. She as well her family will always be in my thoughts and prayers.
Tina Beddow
February 21, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family
I had the pleasure of being a mentor with Sudy through Brigid's Hope. She was so excited about the program and all of its good work. We will certainly miss her.
Tina Beddow
February 21, 2011
Dear Amy, Randy, Alan and family, I am so sorry to learn of Sudy's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. She will be missed by the many people and lives she touched over the years. Paula Marafino, Sugar Land, Texas.
February 20, 2011
We treasure our friendship with Alan and Sudy for the past few years in Kona, Hawaii. She was a delight to be around, so full of life, understanding, warmth and tolerance. We are proud of have been her friends. Will Williams/Jack Buchanan
Judge Vanessa Gilmore
February 20, 2011
I can hardly believe that I will not be able to see that beautiful smile again. I am blessed to have seen Sudy recently and will cherish that memory. She opened doors for so many women and I am lucky to have gotten to know her through the River Oaks Women's Breakfast Club which she founded. My deepest sympathy to Alan and her family.
February 20, 2011
As a past member of the ROWBC, I have fond memories of Sudy's warm and welcoming personality. I extend my sincere condolences to her family and also to her ROWBC family.
Gwen Brown
February 20, 2011
Alan, we are so sorry to hear about Sudy. A loss of a beloved family member is hard. Our love and thoughts are with you and all of your family.
If we can help in any way, please let us know.
Kymberley & Robert Oshman
Marcia Levetown
February 20, 2011
Sudy radiated beauty inside and out. Clearly her greatest joy was giving and receiving love from Alan, her children and grandchildren. Her friendships are numerous and long-standing as well as recent owing to her generosity of spirit, eagerness to listen and connect. She understood earlier than most the power of women and their capacity and need to provide mutual development and support.
Sudy has enriched the lives of so many and will be greatly missed.
Veronica Erebia
February 20, 2011
To my dearest family, some things I'd like to say...
but first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; here is just eternal love.
Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I'm with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through,
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."
It's good to have you back again; you were missed while you were gone.
As for your dearest family, they'll be here later on.
I need you here badly; you're part of my plan.
There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man.
God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do.
And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.
And when you lie in bed at night, the day's chores put to flight.
God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.
When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years
because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.
But do not be afraid to cry; it does relieve the pain.
Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.
I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
But if I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is o'er.
I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to climb;
but together we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too...
that as you give unto the world, the world will give to you.
If you can help somebody who's in sorrow and pain,
then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in vain."
And now I am contented....that my life has been worthwhile,
knowing as I passed along the way, I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low,
just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.
When you're walking down the street, and you've got me on your mind;
I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step behind.
And when it's time for you to go.... from that body to be free,
remember you're not going.....you're coming here to me.
Ruth Ann Mahaffey (author)
©Copyright 1998
Susan Hancock
February 20, 2011
Our thoughts and prayers are with Alan and the rest of the family during this time. Know we are with you. All our love.
Susan, Dan and Jordan Hancock
February 20, 2011
Sudy will always be present in spirit ,as she is not someone easily forgotten. She has made such a difference in so many lives through the various networking organizations she formed and I am proud to have been a member of one of them - The River Oaks Women's Breakfast Club". I love you Sudy and will miss you in our Small Group. Thanks for making the world a little better. Thanks , Alan, for sharing her with us. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely
Sharon Owens
Sharon Owens
February 20, 2011
Sudy will always be present in spirit ,as she is not someone easily forgotten. She has made such a difference in so many lives through the various networking organizations she formed and I am proud to have been a member of one of them - The River Oaks Women's Breakfast Club". I love you Sudy and will miss you in our Small Group. Thanks for making the world a little better. Thanks , Alan, for sharing her with us.
Alan and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sincerely
Sharon Owens
Pat Bodin
February 20, 2011
I sat next to Sudy at breakfast club just his past Tuesday, and as always, she literally filled the room with her energy and that bright, beautiful smile. She spoke passionately of her mentoring work with Brigid's Hope. Sudy did so much to foster friendships and networking within our breakfast club (River Oaks), and will be missed terribly. My thoughts and prayers are with her family and many friends.
February 20, 2011
Thanks to Sudy's vision of friendship through networking, my life has been changed forever because of her having founded the River Oaks Women's Breakfast Club. She loved life, adored her family and will be deeply missed. Nancy Bradley
Bert Onstott
February 20, 2011
We played against her and Alan in the GNT on Sunday - she seemed fine, and as pleasant as ever to be at the table with. We'll really miss her. What a shock.
February 19, 2011
We played bridge against Sudy and Alan Zane on Monday, Februaru 14, 2011. She appeared full of life and ,as usual, was extremely friendly to us. We are totally shocked and saddened by Sudy's demise. May she rest in peace and May her family, and especially her husband Alan, have the courage to deal with this untimely loss. She will be missed! We are praying for her and her family.
Rani & Kailash Sachdev
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