Sylvia Katcef

Sylvia Brooks Katcef, 93, of Annapolis and Boca Raton, FL, died January 12 at the Delray Medical Center, after a brief illness. Sylvia was born in 1919 in Baltimore, the daughter of Benjamin Brooks and Lena Rodbell Brooks, and moved to Annapolis in 1926. She attended University of Pennsylvania and graduated from the University of MD with a BS in Biology. She worked in the serology department at hospitals in Boston and New York before coming back to Baltimore, to work at the blood bank at the University of Maryland Hospital. During her lifetime, Sylvia found a balance between her family, synagogue and community. She was known as a loving, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. As a member at Congregation Kneseth Israel in Annapolis, she was active in Sisterhood, Hadassah and the National Council of Jewish Women. In her community, she devoted time to several civic organizations, including Friends of the Annapolis Symphony. She and her husband enjoyed travel around the world. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Samuel J. Katcef; and her brothers, Lionel Brooks and Samuel Brooks. She is survived by her two children, Janice K. Cohen (Max) of Potomac, and Neal B. Katcef of Annapolis; her three grandchildren, Zachary A. Cohen (Ratha), Erin C. Galper (Joshua) and Dana C. Fields (Brandon); and eight great-grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to Congregation Kneseth Israel, 1125 Spa Road, Annapolis, MD 21403. Online condolences may be placed at www.hardestyfuneralhome.com