Marie Feldman Cweren

Marie Feldman Cweren, 81, passed away peacefully in her sleep, on Saturday August 25, 2018 at her home. Marie leaves behind her three adoring children: Michelle (Marvin) Blum, Felicia (Benjamin) Lewin and Brian Cweren. She also leaves behind six grandchildren who were the light of her life: Jonathan, Jennifer, Joshua, Zachary, Jordan and Chloe. She is also survived by her sister Ruthie Davis (Houston), brother Phillip Feldman (Beaumont), her sister-in-laws Susan Feldman, Phyllis Feldman, Emma Feldman and numerous other family members and close friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Max and Bessie Feldman, her husband Gerson Cweren, her brothers Arthur Feldman, Paul Feldman, Jerome Feldman, Abe Feldman, and Louis Feldman, and her brother-in-laws Joseph Cweren and Albert Davis and many other family members. Marie was born in Beaumont, where she grew up with her large, but close family. This theme followed her throughout her life, as she was a loving wife, daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. She was the sixth of the eight Feldman children. When she was 18, Marie left Beaumont to attend the University of Houston. There, she was introduced to her future husband, Gerson Cweren, on a blind date. Marie and Gerson married on October 4th, 1964 and their youngest child, Brian, was born on their seventh wedding anniversary. They had been happily married for 46 years when Gerson passed away in 2010. One of Marie's favorite stories is about the time she and Gerson met: When he picked her up an hour late for their date, and he had forgotten to remove the price tag hanging off his shirt, she loved to joke that she should have predicted then what the future would be with him. Marie often joked about her meeting Gerson but her life was her husband and her three children. She was a wonderful homemaker and devoted her life to raising her children and taking care of her husband. Gerson and Marie and their three children were always together. Gerson liked to tell stories about how Marie would spend more money on the items she bought at the Foley's (downtown) than what she was making as their store detective. But, it was not uncommon that Marie would stop a suspected shoplifter and hand them bus money to go home and money for food. She often confided in her family that she could not bear to prosecute people for shoplifting in order to buy food because she felt sorry for them. This was her way - Marie was a giver, not a taker, who was always thinking of other people first, even buying things for them. That was what made her happy. Marie had a great personality and engaged in talking with people from all walks of life. Everyone who knew her enjoyed her tremendous wit, sense of humor and spirit. She enjoyed making others laugh. Marie was a best friend to so many people and always found the best in everyone. Marie called her loved ones on a daily basis and was there to lend support, advice, and guidance. Those calls were her way to keep up with each one of her loved ones. She always unselfishly put others before herself and made every person she encountered feel special. Marie loved to shop and took pride in her clothes, a trait that she got from her father, Max. Marie was a wonderful cook. She enjoyed making holiday meals and loved to make matzah ball soup, brisket, apricot chicken and kugel for her family and friends. Marie was very proud of her husband and the fact that he was a strong provider for the family and did whatever she could to support him and his business such as making food for her husband's employees. Marie and Gerson happily shared their success with their community, and passed their generous spirit to each of their three children. They volunteered many years at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, where they led the TNT program, which provided a Sunday morning service and bagel and lox breakfast for hundreds of people. The two of them would drive around all week scouting the best deals on the items they needed for the TNT program. Many people would ask them why they would spend so much time looking for the sales and Marie and Gerson would say that they were doing it for the synagogue. They were routinely called up to help, no matter what the cause. They unselfishly helped others without seeking any recognition. The entire Cweren family would regularly attend Friday night Shabbat services for many years. Marie and Gerson made many life-long friends from all over the world. Marie and Gerson's children Michelle, Felicia and Brian fondly remember their family rituals growing up. Besides their activities at Congregation Beth Yeshurun, all five of them would spend time as a family taking Sunday road trips in and around town. Marie had a way of keeping the family close and making simple outings fun. She was the glue holding together her immediate and extended families, both in fun and more serious times, taking meticulous care of Gerson's father Abe, then Gerson and also his brother Joe when each became ill. Marie's grandkids were her pride and joy, and she developed special bonds with each one. She enjoyed being a Bubbe to her six grandchildren and was extremely proud that all of her children became attorneys. Marie will be terribly missed by so many, including her three loving children, who are so proud of the wonderful examples of kindness, compassion, strength she taught them. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to Jewish Community Center Meals on Wheels or any charity of your choice.

Marie Feldman Cweren

January 27, 1937 - August 25, 2018