Mildred Markowitz

Mildred "Middy" Markowitz, 86, died Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, of complications due to covid-19. She grew up in Squirrel Hill with parents, Yetta and Lou Kravitz, and sister, Beatrice "Beatsy" (Feldshue). She attended Taylor Allderdice High School, where she twirled a baton as a majorette and enjoyed sorority life. At Penn State, she put her talent for wordplay toward a major in advertising. She got a master's in education from Temple University and worked as an elementary and middle school teacher for the Pittsburgh Public Schools for more than 20 years. That she made an impression on her schoolchildren was undeniable: even long after she had retired, former students would approach her and express their gratitude for her teaching. She was married to late newspaperman Jack Markowitz, with whom she had five children, for 40 years. Strong-willed, energetic, a lover of good food, music, and conversation, Middy enjoyed playing bridge and Scrabble, gardening, traveling, writing poetry, and walking in Frick Park. She is survived by her five daughters, Eve Markowitz Preston, of New York City, Beth Markowitz, of Cordoba, Spain, Hannah Markowitz, of Venice, Calif., Laura Markowitz, of Jericho, Vt., and Rachel Markowitz, of San Francisco. Six grandchildren living in the U.S. and UK will always have Grammy to remember. Deep thanks to her team of dedicated caregivers. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Arrangements were entrusted to RALPH SCHUGAR CHAPEL, INC., family owned and operated. Contributions in her name may be made to any animal protection or medical research charity. www.schugar.com.