Beverly G. Dannenbaum

Beverly G. Dannenbaum , 85, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 3, 2012. She was born in New York City to Philip and Miriam Mallin on May 17, 1926, both of whom preceded her in death. Also predeceasing her were her sister, Rita Baker, her first husband, Isadore H. Shoss, her former husband, Joe Gross, her late husband, Heinz (Joe) Dannenbaum, and her great-grandson, Daniel Frieden. She grew up in Greenville, South Carolina, and Fort Worth, Texas, and attended the University of Texas. She became a "native" Texan and spent the majority of her life in Houston.
Beverly had rewarding occupations as an executive secretary at Maryland Club Coffee and Dr. Pepper, and as an expert salesperson in handbags at Saks Fifth Avenue for many years. Twenty-five years ago, she retired from Saks and discovered the love of her life, Joe Dannenbaum, with whom she enjoyed 19 blissful years of travel and wonderful companionship. Beverly relished enduring friendships over the years and especially enjoyed her weekly mahjong group. She loved fine dining, travel (especially ocean cruises), collecting memorabilia from around the world and raising beautiful African violets. Beverly prided herself in her meticulous sense of style. She loved following world news and politics and was a voracious reader. She was independent-minded and a woman of strong opinions-she was never afraid to say exactly what she thought.
Beverly is survived by her daughter, Sandy Frieden and husband Bob Kelly of Houston, and son Barry Gross of Corpus Christi; grandchildren Blake Frieden and wife Alysha of Dallas, Cary Frieden and wife Joanie of Austin, and Kelly Weller and husband Barry of Dallas; great-grandchildren Alec Loughborough, Emma Loughborough, Sam Frieden, Benji Frieden, Brody Weller and Shane Weller. She is also survived by her step-children Nedra and Eddie Cohen of Houston, Ron Dannenbaum of Oregon, and Epp Sonin and family of Massachusetts; step-grandchildren Rebecca Cohen, Michelle Cohen, Mike Kelly and wife Mercedes, and Lynne Alyson Kelly; and step-great-grandchildren Adriana Kelly and Alexander Kelly . The family wishes to thank the staff at the Tealstone (where she lived) for their special attention and support over the years; staff at the Forum who nurtured her back to sufficient strength so she could live happily in her own home; and Christian Companions Senior Care-especially Jeanette, Tyrone, Kim, Diana, Joyce and Rod-who took exquisitely loving care of her.
Graveside services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 6, 2012, at Beth Yeshurun Cemetery (Post Oak & Katy Road), with Rabbi Adrienne Scott officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in honor of Beverly be made to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Ste. 200, Manhattan Beach CA 90266, or Foster Angels of South Texas, P.O. Box 18863, Corpus Christi TX 78480, or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 6062, Albert Lea, MN 56007-6662.
She met death as she lived life: always on her own terms.