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