Joan Siegel Katz

KATZ
Joan Siegel
Joan Siegel Katz, cherished wife, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, sister and friend passed away suddenly Friday afternoon.
She was born in Toledo on May 31, 1934 to the late Florence and Samuel J. Siegel. She was a proud graduate of Scott High School and The Ohio State University. It was at OSU where she met and married the love of her life, the Honorable David A. Katz, of blessed memory. Together they shared a loving partnership of more than 60 years.
An accomplished woman in her own right, she was a teacher, dedicated community leader and volunteer. A Trustee of The University of Toledo from 1984-1993, after receiving the appointment from Governor Richard Celeste, she was also past president of the Women's Board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Toledo, a life member and former president of Hadassah, board member of Congregation B'nai Israel and the Toledo Bar Association Auxiliary, a recipient of the Toledo Jewish Federation's Levison Young Leadership Award, Women's Campaign Chair of the Toledo Jewish Federation, and vice-chairman of the Toledo Jamie Farr Toledo Classic LPGA tournament. Later in life she was an advocate and tutor for the Read for Literacy Program where her students often became her friends.
She will be sorely missed by lifelong friends in Toledo, many of whom she shared special relationships, family celebrations and community interests with. There were also new friends in the Riverwalk Community of West Palm Beach where she and David spent winters and Joan became an avid fan of water aerobics. All who knew her appreciated her kind and gentle manner and keen insight into any situation.
As a daughter and wife she was exemplary, but truly shone as a mother, grandmother, and great-grand mother. Six children and children-in-law, twelve grandchildren and two great-granddaughters adored their mother and Grandma Joanie. They loved to help her garden, learned to play Mahjong, help her fix her computer or just hang out. All of her grandchildren shared special bonds with their grandmother and each have a lifetime of wonderful stories to cherish. She was a lover of bridge and crossword puzzles, a tradition she carried on from her mother.
She is survived by her daughters, Linda (Joel) Beren, Debra (Jon) Liebenthal; son, Michael (Robin) Katz; grandchildren, Sarah Beren (Jon) Karelitz, Stephanie Beren (Dr. Jeremy) Nathaniel, Joshua (Samantha) Beren; Dr. Elliott, Jamie and Joseph Katz; Rachel, Aaron, Jonathan and Daniel Intrater, Aaron and Abby Liebenthal; and great-granddaughters, Mia and Danielle Karelitz. Joan was the beloved sister-in-law of Sandra Katz-Ringer and Ronald (Joanne) Katz, and sister to the late Robert and Joyce Siegel.
Funeral services will be Sunday, April 9 at 1:30 p.m. at Congregation B'nai Israel in Sylvania. Interment will follow at Beth Shalom Cemetery in Oregon. The family will receive guests Sunday evening at the home of Linda and Joel Beren, 2081 Whitehall Road.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Toledo Jewish Community Foundation, David & Joan Katz Fund, 6465 Sylvania Avenue, Sylvania, Ohio 43560; Congregation B'nai Israel; or charity of donor's choice.
As published in The Blade