Mercelle Granoff Sondock

MERCELLE GRANOFF SONDOCK, Grandma Cel, passed away on May 8, 2009 at the age of 86. Her loving family and friends will forever remember her uniquely understated elegance, non-judgmental nature and stalwart spirit. The central force of her life, however, was her husband, life partner and love of almost 67 years, Sonny Sondock, who preceded her in death. Mercelle was born in Laredo, TX, to Bess and Harry Granoff, on September 6, 1922. As a stunning young teenager, Mercelle, a talented soprano, enjoyed performing for various Laredo events and even sang on a radio show that broadcast in selected cities in Mexico and Texas. In her early teens, Mercelle's family moved to Houston, TX, where she attended and graduated from San Jacinto High School. Once she graduated, Mercelle trained with the notable Mrs. John Wessley Graham of one of Houston's renowned schools of music until she married the love of her life only one month after her eighteenth birthday. From the moment they were wed, Mercelle's entire world revolved around Sonny's happiness. She worked by his side; she kept an immaculate and beautiful home for him; she raised their two children, Larry and Jill; and took pride in handling all of the personal financial details for their family. For 43 years, Mercelle stood by Sonny as he grew McCane Sondock Protection Systems to almost 170 employees, with a customer base of more than 8,000 businesses and residents. Under their direction, and in partnership with their son, Larry, McCane Sondock expanded to become the foremost security system business in Houston until the sale of the company in June of 1983. Together, Mercelle and Sonny travelled the world, fished, watched ballgames, square danced, bet at the horse race tracks, ate in numerous restaurants and visited every ice cream parlor they could find. Mercelle's happiest moments were truly those when Sonny was laughing, content, relaxed and at peace. Mercelle had an impeccable eye for timeless antiques, art, jewelry, clothing and other items of beauty. She lived her life in an unassuming fashion, avoiding the limelight, but often making her mark through quiet philanthropy. Furthermore, she possessed an extraordinary inner strength that often held family and friends together in times of need, and an accepting nature that made those around her feel confident and at ease. Mercelle and Sonny put family first and enjoyed nothing more than spending time with their children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Even when she was overcome by grief following Sonny's death, visits with her great grandchildren elicited a fresh sparkle in her eyes. Mercelle joined her family at the Shabbat table at her son's home every Friday night, something she continued to enjoy until she was hospitalized one month ago. Mercelle made great efforts to give equal attention to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who live out of town. She and Sonny often made spur of the moment trips just to spend time with or to attend special events involving their grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Mercelle is preceded in death by her husband, Sonny Sondock, parents Bess and Harry Granoff and brother Alvin Granoff. She is survived by her sister-in-law Joan Granoff, her daughter and son-in-law Jill and Jerry Polacheck; son and daughter-in-law Larry and Annette Sondock; grandchildren, Jodi and Randy Baygood, Jennifer and Jeff Goodman, Jeffrey Polacheck, Elisha and Larry Selzer, Jennifer and Mark Sondock, and Tara and Steven Sondock; and her great-grandchildren, Jacob and Julia Polacheck, Erika and Lindsey Selzer, and Joseph, Gabriel, Elizabeth and Samuel Sondock. She is also survived by her extended family, Barbara Horwitz, Kenny Horwitz, Jeff and Treva Horwitz, Scott and Missy Horwitz, Valerie Horwitz, and numerous nieces and nephews. The family wishes to extend their utmost gratitude to Mercelle's loving caregivers Esther Beasley, Pam Williams, Doris Byrd and Shirley Stevenson. They would also like to thank Drs. Nghia C. Nguyen, Kim Bloom, Steven Dinerstein, and Michael Klein, as well as the nurses and staff of the Methodist Hospital; and Dr. T. Hanh Trinh and the nurses and staff at the Houston Hospice. Funeral and graveside services will be held at the Beth Israel Cemetery, 1111 Antoine, on Monday, May 11, 2009, at 4 p.m. Pall Bearers are Jeff Horwitz, Kenny Horwitz, Allen Paull, Mark Paull, Jeffrey Polacheck, Larry Selzer, Brad Sondock, Mark Sondock, and Steven Sondock. Honorary Pall Bearers include Bob Brown, Scott Horwitz, Elton Lipnick , Leo Rubenstein, Max Rudick, Melvin Sondock, Jerry Sondock, former employees of McCane Sondock and the staff of the St. James Condominium. Donations in Mercelle's honor should be directed to Hadassah, Beth Yeshurun Day School, or the Emery Weiner School.