Nora Laufman

Nora Aloys Laufman, age 96, died in the company of loved ones on Thursday, November 30, 2023. Born in Kansas City, Missouri to Jacob and Sidonia Fleitman on May 20, 1927, she had two older siblings whom she adored: her sister, Elizabeth and brother, Albert. When Nora was young, the family moved to Denver, Colorado, where she grew up. In early 1945, Nora attended a “tea dance” for servicemen convalescing at nearby Fort Logan, where she met Herbert Laufman, a First Lt. in the U.S. Army Air Corps. They fell deeply in love, and months later they were married in Houston, Herbert’s hometown. Nora poured her heart and energy into raising four children through the late 1940s, 1950s, 1960s, and early 1970s while supporting Herbert as he met the demands of running the family grocery store in the Heights. Together with Herbert, Nora lived life to the fullest. They loved to entertain friends and family at lavish dinner parties at their beautiful home, travel all over the world, and enjoy the fine arts. Nora was always inquisitive about the world and was an avid reader and consumer of news. In her later years, she loved her membership in a book club with cherished friends. Nora found new ways to extend her horizons. She became a sculptor and a gourmet chef with the support of her trusted housekeeper, confidante, and aide-de-camp, Mary Matthews. Nora continued to thrive after Herbert’s death in 1998. Despite a chronic pain condition that would have immobilized most humans, she reveled in her subscriptions to the ballet, symphony, theater, and opera. And she continued to travel to visit with her children, grandchildren and great- grandchildren. Nora is survived by her daughter, Carolyn Weycer, her son, Alan Laufman and his wife Gabrielle, her son, Gary and his partner Lisa Brenner, her son David, and his wife Judy; her granddaughter, Ashley Weycer and husband Gianni Checa; granddaughter Brooke Ashe and husband Josh; grandsons Adam and his wife Laura; and Michael Laufman. She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Zane, Finley, Grant, Noah, and Evelyn. A private service was held on Sunday, December 3 at Emanu El Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate that donations be made to the Southern Poverty Law Center, the Anti-Defamation League, or the World Central Kitchen.

Nora Laufman

May 20, 1927 - November 30, 2023