Joan E. Levi Altsuler

Joan “Joan E.” Altsuler passed away, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief bout with cancer on Monday, February 27, 2023. Joan E. was born on June 6, 1946, in Houston, Texas, to the late Leon and Jane Elise Levi. She graduated from Bellaire High School in Houston. She was a fifth-generation member of Congregation Beth Israel, where she was confirmed as a teenager. Joan E. enjoyed many social activities in her youth. She was beautiful inside and out. After high school, Joan E. attended the University of Texas, where she was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. The most important thing that happened there was meeting the love of her life, Arnold “Arnie” Kent Altsuler. Although Arnie had already graduated from UT, he was visiting a dorm on campus. That was when he saw Joan E. As he often told his children, it was love at first sight. Arnie’s first words to Joan E. were, “Excuse me, are you interested in falling in love?” And they did. They married on June 12, 1966. They made their home together in Houston; they built their family in the neighborhoods of Sandalwood and Piney Point. They had Kent in 1970, and Adam in 1973. The team was complete. The consensus is that Joan E. was the sweetest person everyone knew. To Kent and Adam, she was the type of perfect and instinctive mother who offered unconditional love and support, without judgment. To her sons’ friends, she was a “second mother.” To her friends, she was a daily morning call to discuss current events. To some, she was their life coach. To Arnie, she was his everything. They were married for almost 57 years—through thick and thin. Everyone around them always knew how much they loved each other. For many years she worked at The Kinkaid School. She was the person in the Lower School Principal’s Office who gave out sympathy and encouragement to young students with headaches. And after that, she helped patients at a local dentist’s office. Joan E. loved Hannukah parties, TV, falling asleep on the couch, and staying up all night to make sure her boys made it home safely. She also loved her friends. But most of all, she loved her family. Joan E. was unselfish and a truly empathetic person. She became visibly uncomfortable every time any attention or focus would be placed on her. She disliked receiving gifts, but loved giving them out. She was always hard on herself, but always forgiving of others. She was born about nine months after World War II, but she had a truly peaceful demeanor. “Gaga” will live on in the sweetness and beauty of her wonderful and adored grandchildren—Megan, Scott, Chase, and Reed. Babysitting and attending their horseback riding competitions, plays, and sporting events were her idea of living her best life. Joan E. is survived by her husband Arnie, children Kent and Adam and their wives Kim and Jodi, and grandchildren Megan, Scott, Chase, and Reed. Joan E. was preceded in death by her parents Leon and Jane Elise Levi and her sister, Lynn Levi Powell. The family would like to thank the medics and the incredible team in the Emergency Department and the ICU at Methodist Hospital, who skillfully and compassionately cared for her during her last week on Earth. The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Skidmore and Dr. Chappelle; they answered countless questions during the family’s time of crisis with the sensitivity and knowledge that all families deserve. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, March 3, 2023, at 11:00 am at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood Blvd., Houston, Texas 77096. Donations in Joan E.’s memory may be made to Congregation Beth Israel.

Joan E. Levi Altsuler

June 6, 1946 - February 27, 2023