Emanuel "Mac" Katzin

Emanuel "Mac" Katzin died peacefully at his home on Monday, October 10, 2022 at the age of 93. His warmth and embrace of life will be missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his daughters Sheryl Katzin of Washington, DC, Norri Leder and son in law Jason Leder of Houston, and granddaughters Jordan and Samantha Leder and sister Rachel Chodorov. He is also survived by Arnold and Rita Wasserman (sister-in-law and brother-in-law), nephews Samuel Chodorov and Todd and Justin Wasserman, and nieces Marci Katzin and Sara Katzin. His wife Shirley Green Katzin predeceased him in November of 2020. Mac was born September 28, 1929 to parents Hettie and Samuel Katzin in Winston Salem, North Carolina, where he and his family were very active in the Jewish community. Mac's father, who owned a candy and ice cream business, served as the rabbi at the local synagogue. Mac was active in Young Judaea, attended Jewish camps in the area, including Camp Blue Star in Hendersonville, North Carolina, where he worked as a camp counselor, and was the Aleph Gadol of AZA. He graduated from North Carolina State University with a textiles degree and served in the US Air Force. Mac was set up on a blind date with Shirley Green of Knoxville, Tennessee. There was immediate chemistry. He would drive over the mountains to date her and they eventually married in October of 1961. Mac began working in the computer business, which led him and Shirley to move to Houston with Norri. Mac eventually started his own business writing user documentation manuals and worked for clients all around the Houston area. He was active in the Society for Technical Communication and even published a book called How to Write a Really Good User's Manual. Mac and Shirley loved Houston, relishing in the Jewish community, and joining Congregation Brith Shalom. Mac later served on the synagogue board and taught a confirmation class on Zionism. They loved attending lectures at World Affairs Council and at various programs at the JCC, and were regulars at the Houston Symphony for many years. Around the JCC pool and at Brith Shalom they met their close group of friends they referred to as "Houston Mishpacha" and Mac remained close with them throughout his life. He was known for his great sense of humor and his warmth; he was lovingly called the King of Schmooze. His wonderful sense of fun made people want to be around him. Mac worked with Shirley to build a vibrant Jewish life for his daughters and his community. He led lively interactive and musical seders. He designed and built his own sukkah that could be used each year. After retirement he worked as a volunteer at the front desk of the Holocaust Museum Houston, where he made many friends and was always moved by visitors' stories of why they were drawn to the museum. Mac and Shirley traveled around the world and savored their friendships and close relationships with their siblings and in laws. Mac adored his granddaughters Jordan and Sami, who showered him with love and laughter on a regular basis. The three shared inside jokes, funny faces, lots of hugs and a beautiful unconditional love. After the loss of Shirley, Mac moved to the Villages of Southampton in West University, where he made many friends and attended lectures and social gatherings. Over the last couple of years, he was fortunate to have Meshawn Harris as his devoted caretaker, and she helped him to the very end of his life. He died peacefully and was ready to join his Shirley after a rich and fulfilling 93 years on this earth. A funeral for Mac was held on Friday morning, October 14, 2022 at 11:00 AM at the Sophia and Jack Bender Memorial Chapel at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Ln. Houston, TX 77055. The family requests that Memorial Donations be made to Congregation Brith Shalom, 4610 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, TX 77401.

Emanuel "Mac" Katzin

September 28, 1929 - October 10, 2022