Lois Sinaiko Webb

Webb, Lois Sinaiko Passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, August 28, at Clear Lake Regional Medical Center, Webster, TX. She was a long time resident and business woman near Houston where her restaurant Webb's Cove was known for exceptional seafood skillets and a party atmosphere. Lois was born in Madison, WI, Feb. 15, 1922, to William and Pauline (Silverman) Sinaiko, the fifth of six daughters. She was a creative, hard-working, fun-loving, and competitive person. Lois attended the University of Wisconsin as an art major. During WWII, she was a draftsman for Navy Hydrographics in Washington, D.C., designing maps for the war effort. She and her husband Burt Rosenberg (1943 - 1964) raised two children, Jo Ann (Josie) and Richard, in Milwaukee, WI. She channeled her creativity into Lois Rosenberg Interiors and received numerous accolades, including winning the American Institute of Interior Designers Award for Wall Covering in 1962. She was a member of the AID and was recognized by Who's Who of American Women. In 1969 she moved to the Clear Lake, TX, area as home-fashion coordinator for Montgomery Ward. Her second career began with the restaurant Webb's Cove, where many praised her signature dishes, diverse menu and creative presentation. She also was the catering coordinator for Frenchie's and Villa Capri on Clear Lake. Lois was active in the Houston chapter of Professionals in Culinary Arts where she helped to raise scholarship funds. She married Preston Webb from 1969 - 1976 and Howard (Stoney) Thombs from 1978 - 1982. In the mid- 1990s, Lois began her third career as cookbook writer. With Carole Albyn, she wrote The Multicultural Cookbook for Students (1993) and then authored Holidays of the World Cookbook for Students (1995) and Multicultural Cookbook of Life-cycle Celebrations (2000). All three books help school-age children learn world cultures through food. Recently, Lois and co-author Lindsay Roten revised these works into second editions. Multicultural Cookbook for Students (2009) and Holidays of the World for Students (2011) were published by Greenwood Press. They were half way to completion of the third book at the time of Lois' death. Lois took an active interest in the success of others, frequently serving as mentor and role model. She believed passionately in the power of education, hard work, and creativity. She loved a good party. Her home was frequently the place to share good cheer and stories with friends. Her sense of humor was legendary and she delighted in seeing the funny in any situation. She is survived by her sister Jean Seltzer (Royal Palm Beach), daughter Josie Wilson and son-in-law Michael Belsky (Ashland, OR), granddaughter Paulina Belsky (Atlanta), son Richard Rosenberg and daughter-in-law Joan Rosenberg (Milwaukee), step-son John Webb (Houston), step-daughters Lori Thombs (Columbia, MO) and Elaine Thombs (SC), and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and friends. In lieu of flowers, please honor Lois with a donation to: Student Scholarship to Professionals in Culinary Arts. Mail to: Terry Whalen, 4420 Phil, Bellaire, TX 77401 or Bay Area Turning Point, PO Box 890929, Houston, TX 77289 (www.bayareaturningpoint.org)