Doris O Katz

Doris Ostrow Katz passed away peacefully at home on May 4, 2022 in Houston, Texas. What a woman! Doris was, quite simply, a force to be reckoned with, and she loved her family and friends with all of her being. Doris had a way of making everyone feel like they were special. She truly never met a stranger and was an adoring wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend. Doris was born on May 10, 1929 (Mother's Day) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Rose and Martin Ostrow. In Pittsburgh, she grew up surrounded by a large family, including both sets of grandparents and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. At the age of 5, shortly after the birth of her sister Eileen, Doris's father bought an auto supply store in Huntington, West Virginia and the family enjoyed a happy life there. Five years later, when her father accepted a position with a large auto parts company, the family moved to New Orleans, which Doris originally thought was just beyond the ends of the earth. After graduating high school at 16, Doris began her studies Louisiana State University, where she met the love of her life, Gerald "Jerry" Katz. After graduation, the two were married at the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans before they settled in a then little-known town called Sugar Land, TX. The births of their children, Susan and Cindy, soon followed and Doris and Jerry built their home in Meyerland, where they would live for 50 years. The memories made in the Katz's house on S. Braeswood span decades and generations. It was rare when the pool wasn't filled with people and the kitchen wasn't open for every holiday (Thanksgiving and Passover were her favorites), and Super Bowl party. After school snacks at the Katz house were legendary. Later, her favorite time in the kitchen was with four hungry grandchildren asking for more famous French toast and bacon on a Sunday morning. At the age of 10, Doris's Aunt Dora took her to the 1939 World's Fair in New York, where she witnessed the introduction of Frozen Food. This began her long love affair with cooking. Doris always felt at home in the kitchen. Her passion for cooking turned into more than just a hobby when "Doris Kay for Rice Food Markets" was born in the mid '70s. She could often be found behind the counter at the store doing a cooking demonstration and published two cookbooks to share her special recipes. Her role as Doris Kay also led to many television appearance on the local Joanne King show. Doris was also a longtime member of the Beth Israel Sisterhood and Visiting Nurses board, an avid tennis, Mahjong and bridge player, and a shopping enthusiast. Doris was never one to sit and relax; she just had too much to do and too many people to talk with. She was always "in charge" and wanted things done her way and, more often than not, she got what she wanted. She was relentless! Cherished friends were always an integral part of Doris's life. Together, she and Jerry and their many friends spent weekends at parties and traveled all over the world, but her favorite place was Carlsbad, California. They spent summers at La Costa for more than 30 years and Doris loved nothing more than spending days on the tennis court and nights on the patio of their condo. Her grandchildren's annual visits to California made her the happiest. Doris was preceded in death by her parents and grandparents, her husband Gerald Katz, her sister Eileen Krandel, and her brothers-in-law Leon Krandel and Ron Katz. She is survived by her beloved children Susan & Steven Weil and Cindy & Les Fox; adored grandchildren Andy Weil & Eva Dickerman, Lauren & Marc Sancton, Lindsey Fox, and Greg Weil; niece Karen & David Palans, nephew Craig & Judy Krandel, great nieces and nephews; and her treasured great-grandchildren Reese and Blake Sancton. The family would like to thank her devoted housekeeper and friend, Connie Gomez, for her love and support of Mom for over 44 years. We also would like to thank her recent caregivers, Rose, Flor, Jackie, and Djeneba for their caring support. A private graveside service will be held on Friday, May 6, 2022 followed by a public memorial service at 11 a.m. in the Gordon Chapel at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood Blvd. Houston, TX 77096. In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests that donations be made in Doris's memory to Congregation Beth Israel or the charity of your choice. Recipe For Happiness 2 Heaping cups of Patience 1 Heart full of Love 2 Handfuls of Generosity A dash of Laughter 1 Head full of Understanding Mix and sprinkle generously with Kindness and Faith. Spread over a period of a lifetime. Serve to everyone you meet! From the Doris Kay Cookbook Funeral services can be streamed live at the following link https://www.beth-israel.org/news-events-upcoming-events/livestreaming/

Doris O Katz

May 10, 1929 - May 4, 2022