Monroe S. Zeffert, of Pikesville, Maryland, passed away on Monday, June 24th, 2024, at the age of 66. He is survived by his beloved wife, Dr. Patricia B. Zeffert (nee Bissell); devoted sons, Laurance Charles (Katiana Simms) Zeffert, Harrison Jonah (Katrina Seely) Zeffert and Daniel Jacob Zeffert (Maxine Luke); dear siblings, Robert Harry (Ann) Zeffert, Dr. Judith (Dr. Robert) Levy and Steven Daniel (Beth) Zeffert; adored granddaughter, Kalia Zeffert and cherished grandson, Malakai Zeffert. Monroe was predeceased by his loving parents, Vera Ina and Bernard Maurice Zeffert.

Monroe was a 1975 graduate of Pikesville High School. He attended The Johns Hopkins University where he served as Sr. Class President and received his B.A. in 1979.

Monroe started caterring in 1984 and the business grew and evolved into Maryland Catering Consortium, which included 3 divisions: Zeffert and Gold Catering, Celebrations Kosher Catering, and Cuisine Catering.

His culinary expertise and generosity earned him lasting tributes, with Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation naming their kitchen "The Monroe Zeffert Dream Kitchen" and the John Hopkins Student Union Center honoring him with "Mr. Z's Kitchen." Monroe's passion for food and service will be fondly remembered by all who knew him.

Services at Sol Levinson's Chapel, 8900 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208, on Wednesday, June 26 at 12PM. Interment at Oheb Shalom Memorial Park - Berrymans Lane. Please omit flowers. Contributions in Monroe's memory may be sent to Har Sinai Oheb Shalom Congregation, 7310 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21208; or Johns Hopkins Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences, Office of External Affairs, 3901 Keswick Road, Keswick North, Second Floor, Baltimore, MD 21211-226.

The family will be in mourning at Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom following the interment on Wednesday from 2 to 4PM and from 5 to 8PM with a service at 7PM; on Thursday from 5 to 8PM with a service at 7PM; and on Sunday from 9-12PM with a service at 9AM -- all at Har Sinai-Oheb Shalom Congregation, 7310 Park Heights Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21208.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Baltimore Sun from Jun. 26 to Jun. 27, 2024.

Memories and Condolences
for Monroe Zeffert

Sponsored by The Baltimore Sun.

8 Entries

Jan Morrison

June 19, 2025

Monroe was a wonderful friend, professional and mensch. He catered my retirement dinner at Columbia Jewish Congregation, knowing that it would be a favorite for everyone. I think about him often, and wish he was with us still.

Jan Morrison

July 7, 2024

I am so saddened by the loss of this true mensch. Each of us could fill volumes with words of praise, and still fill more.

Please accept my profound condolences. I was blessed to know him. His memory is truly a blessing.

Jan Morrison

Avigail Morris

July 7, 2024

Monroe and I have been friends since kindergarten. I have several memories of Monroe as a child. I remember going to his house when I was five and his train ran over my finger. No idea why I remember that. I also remember learning how to mix crayon colors to make new colors while playing with Monroe at his house. We were together at Arlington Elementary School until 4th grade. We would share hard-boiled eggs. Even back then Monroe was showing signs of his future catering career.
We were also partners on school trips. One particular trip in fourth grade was to the Science Museum in Philadelphia. He was so thoughtful and let me sit near the window on the bus. When Monroe moved to the county we drifted apart and reunited in high school as friends in BBYO. I think he was in JFK AZA but I´m not sure. I was in Carol BBG and he served one year as our "heartthrob" (a representative from AZA whose main task was to join our meetings and fix people up on blind dates for our annual dances. A difficult task that only Monroe could do well.
One year Monroe and I went to one of these dances together as friends and he even agreed to come with me to my high school prom at Northwestern High School (as friends). That was a brave move on his part. It was memorable.
I moved to Israel when I was 21 but would see Monroe whenever I returned to Baltimore for a visit. I always considered Monroe to be a close friend even though we lived on different continents. He was always so kind and always interested in what I was doing. I felt I could tak to him about anything. After all we had a history.
I am not surprised that he was so successful as a caterer. He had the drive and personality for it. He lived his adult life feeding people and making them happy. He nurtured thousands of people in his adult life. He certainly has made a tremendous impact on the Baltimore community and among his many friends. I was privileged to be one of them.

Steven Eaddy

June 27, 2024

Condolences to the Zeffert family. I graduated the year before he did from the Hop. He was one of the good guys. Always had a smile, never had a bad word to say about anyone. He will be missed in Balitmore, at Homewood, and beyond.

Clay Exton

June 27, 2024

We will miss his Holiday time feasts, I have fond memories of Thanksgivings with Monroe and family. There was always so much left over, and he'd ask that I would help take some off his hands. The meals were always a treat. It was also a time to catch up on his catering business, his adventures trying to please customers, and his attention to detail and providing the best of service possible. I'm so sorry his health issues plagued him for so long, Monroe deserved a better outcome....Monroe was quite a fighter to the end. Rest in peace Monroe!

Let's Do Linens Crew and staff

Planted Trees

Ron Raich

Planted Trees

Ron raich

June 25, 2024

Monroe was such a warm and wonderful person - there was never a time when I saw him that he did not ask about me and my family. He was a true and genuine person who cared about others and really made them feel that way. He left a real impact and will be missed. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.
Ron Raich

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