Esther Lesky Hochman

ESTHER (ANNETTE) LESKY HOCHMAN, 91, beloved wife of Herman Hochman, passed away peacefully at home, January 2, 2009, surrounded by loving family. She leaves behind sons Dr. Joel S. Hochman and Herbert Hochman, both of Houston; grandchildren Todd Hochman and wife Valerie, of Santa Fe, NM, and Dayan Hochman, of Albuquerque, NM; sisters Edith Fireman and Rose Newman, both of Houston, and brother Dr. Harold Lasky and wife Ruth, of Chicago, Il. She also leaves behind sisters- and brothers-in-law, Selene and David Keeper of Hunt, TX, and Muriel and Alec Hochman of Bellaire, TX. Annette was preceded in death by sisters Bertha Vise, Celia Nathan and Dorothy Kamin, and brothers Henry A. Lesky and Morris Lasky. She also leaves behind 15 nieces and nephews and 26 grandnieces and nephews, whom she adored, as well as her devoted family-by-choice in Coyoacán Mexico. If ever a child could come into this world with a profound and extraordinary "sense of family" already in her heart, it was Annette. The second-to-last of nine children born to Rebecca Sigerman Lesky of Poland, and Samuel Israelefsky of Russia, Annette and her siblings formed a strong and abiding connection at a very early age--a bond that never faded. They always took care of each other, and when necessary, cared for each other's children. Annette had such joy for life. She loved people, loved great food, loved to shop, loved to entertain, loved her pets, and she loved traveling, which she did extensively with her sisters--to China, to Israel, to Europe, Mexico, Japan, and beyond. She was a ball of energy--a professional dancer from a very early age. Before she retired her dancing shoes, she had appeared in the most famous night clubs of Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and New Orleans, and with the best-known orchestras in the country. It is not surprising, then, that she met her husband after he saw her dance and arranged to meet her. As soon as they were introduced, he informed her he was going to marry her. And so he did...61 years ago. Not only did they marry and raise a family together, they worked together for 35 years at the company they established: Herman J. Hochman & Co. Annette's transition into the business world was seamless. She soon became well known in the banks and financial institutions of Houston, but no matter how busy or tired she was, she always found time to visit her brothers and sisters, and nieces and nephews, or to have everyone over for barbecue whenever out-of-town family came to visit. To Annette Lesky Hochman, nothing was more important. The family would like to thank Vitas Hospice, and Caregivers for Seniors, with special gratitude to Mary White, Mary Harris, and Loretta Orlando for their care, kindness, and compassion. Graveside services will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2009, at Congregation Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet, Rabbi Roy A. Walter officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the charity of your choice.