Lois Biro

Lois Kerr Porch Biro, 87, passed away peacefully after a long battle with dementia on May 25, 2024. She was born on January 17, 1937 in Woodbury, New Jersey as the only child of Dr. Marvin and Mrs. Edith Kerr Porch of Gloucester City, New Jersey. Her mother was a teacher and her father served as Superintendent of Schools in Gloucester City. From a young age, they engrained in her the value of education, which became her lifelong passion. Graduating at the top of her high school class, she became the only female student to pursue a college education. She enrolled in Douglass College at Rutgers University on a full scholarship and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and economics in 1958. Also, while at Douglass, she met the love of her life, John (“Jancsi”) Biro, who was a student at nearby Princeton University. They married shortly after his graduation in June 1960 and remained married until John’s unexpected passing in 2018. Following her passions of learning, children and education, Lois became a teacher shortly after graduation and taught in New York City. In 1966, John and Lois welcomed a son, Jon Courtney, and in 1967 a daughter, Brooke Elise. When John was offered a job they could not refuse, they relocated their young family to Houston, Texas in 1972. Quickly, Lois adapted to Houston culture and heat and once the children were settled in school, resumed her teaching career at Blackshear Elementary in HISD and later Nottingham Elementary in SBISD. Eventually she left public education to own and operate several preschools and daycare centers in the Memorial area, including Evergreen School. Lois and John were active in the Jewish community and were among the founding members of Temple Sinai which brought Reform Judaism to the Memorial area of Houston and where she served for many years in various leadership roles. Later they were members of Temple Emanu El, supporters of the Holocaust Museum Houston from inception, lovers of ballet, symphony, theater, fine dining, travel, entertaining and of course, a good martini! Lois was also an active Douglass College Alumna, attending many reunions though the years. Lois’ greatest joys were her husband and family. She will be deeply missed by her survivors including her son, Jon Biro, and daughter-in-law, Amara Rosenstock Biro, and their children, Harrison, Alexander and Madeline, and her daughter, Brooke Wachsman, and son-in-law, Seth Wachsman, and their children, Alexa and Julia. Donations in memory of Lois Biro are requested to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://act.alz.org/), Holocaust Museum Houston (https://hmh.org/), or the charity of your choice.

Lois Biro

January 17, 1937 - May 25, 2024