 SEPTEMBER 17 • 2020 | 71

J

eanette Katzman, 
99, a smart, funny, 
stubborn and deeply 
compassionate woman, 
died peacefully in her 
home Sept. 6, 2020. 
Born March 1, 1921, to 
Rose and Jack Soifer, she 
was the youngest of two 
children (predeceased 
by her brother, Yale 
Soifer). Jeanette grew up 
in Detroit, where she put 
herself through Wayne 
State University and later, 
in mid-life, went back to 
Wayne and completed 
her M.S.W.
Her greatest joy was 
her incredible marriage 
to her beloved husband 
of 64 years, Barney 
Katzman, and the family 
life they built together, 
first in Detroit, then 
Huntington Woods and 
later Bloomfield Hills. 
She was a generous 
and loving mother, 
grandmother and great-
grandmother although it 
must be said, she never 
let her grandchildren win 
at Monopoly, being the 
fierce competitor that she 
was.
Jeanette’
s life was 
one of great joys, 
great sorrows and true 
perseverance. From 
early on, she became 
the “mother” to her 
own mother, who was 
incapacitated by illness 
in her 20s, and nurtured 
her along with her 
aunts and uncle for 
the remainder of their 

lives. Her generous and 
giving nature continued 
throughout her life with 
her husband, children, 
grandchildren 
and great-
grandchildren. 
She suffered 
the tragic loss of 
two of her four 
children: her 
daughter Joan 
in infancy and 
her son Billy in 
his early 20s. 
Nevertheless, 
she always remained 
optimistic and wanted 
the best for everyone. 
She showed grit and 
determination as she 
survived two bouts of 
cancer in later years and, 
in her last days, when 
dementia had diminished 
her mind, she was more 
likely to say that things 
“were fine.”
Jeanette was the “life 
of the party.” She loved 
to cook and was famous 
for her cheesecake, key 
lime pie and gefilte 
fish. She also loved to 
entertain always with a 
“very dry Rob Roy” in 
hand, play tennis and 
bridge, participate in 
politics and travel the 
globe. She and Barney 
took many adventurous 
trips with friends; they 
introduced their children 
and grandchildren to the 
world. She was a loyal 
and devoted friend to 
many and could always 
be counted on to help 

whenever there was need. 
The family are all better 
for the example she set.
Mrs. Katzman was the 
cherished mother 
of Jane Katzman 
Glass, Richard 
Katzman (Bonnie), 
the late William 
and Joan Katzman; 
the beloved 
grandmother 
of Talia Glass 
(Shawn Ingram), 
Ben Glass, Jena 
Katzman, Josh 
Katzman (Elizabeth), 
Brady Katzman-Rooks 
and Shane Rooks; 
and adored great-
grandmother of seven. 
She is also remembered 
by many other loving 
friends and relatives. 
The family wishes 
to acknowledge the 
wonderful care given to 
Jeanette in her final years 
by her devoted caregiver, 
Liliana Uzumtoma.
A celebration of her 
life will be held at a later 
date. Interment was at 
Beth El Memorial Park. 
Contributions may 
be made to Hospice 
of Michigan-Oakland 
County, 43097 Woodward 
Ave., Bloomfield Hills, 
MI 48302, hom.org/
donations; or American 
Civil Liberties Union, 
2966 Woodward 
Ave., Detroit, MI 
48201, aclumich.org. 
Arrangements by Ira 
Kaufman Chapel. 

Jeanette Katzman

continued on page 72

A Nurturing Soul

Alzheimer’
s Association-Greater 
Michigan Chapter, 25200 
Telegraph Road, Suite 
100, Southfield, MI 48033, alz.
org/gmc. Arrangements by Ira 
Kaufman Chapel.

CARL GILBERT, 87, 
of West Bloomfield, 
died Sept. 3, 2020. 
He is survived 
by his beloved wife, 
Sandra Gilbert; sons 
and daughters-in-law, Samuel 
and Rachel Gilbert, Herb and 
Laura Gilbert; many loving 
grandchildren, nieces, nephews, 
other family members and 
friends. 
Mr. Gilbert was the father 
of the late David Gilbert; the 
brother of the late Honora 
Lipson and the late Phyllis 
Stoller. 
Contributions may to a charity 
of one’
s choice. Arrangements by 
Dorfman Chapel.

ESTELLE UDAY 
KAHN, 94, of 
Farmington Hills, 
died Sept. 4, 2020. 
She was born in 
Detroit on Aug. 27, 
1926, to Herman 
and Bessie Uday. She went to 
Cass Technical High School. 
Estelle met her husband, 
Edward, on a vacation to 
Mendelson’
s Atlantic Hotel in 
South Haven in 1943. They 
married in 1945. They had two 
children, Richard and Alan. 
Edward was a pharmacist and 
businessman his whole life and 
Estelle worked alongside for 40 
years. They were able to enjoy 
many years of retirement in 
Michigan and Florida.
Mrs. Kahn is survived by her 
children, Richard and Anne 
Kahn, Alan Kahn, Jane and Ed 

c. 1945

