Delores "Dodie" Sembler Krakower

Delores “Dodie” Krakower, 95, passed away peacefully Wednesday, December 11, 2024, after a life well-lived, surrounded by her family and caregivers. Dodie was born January 12, 1929, to Fannie and Benny Sembler, self-made and successful immigrants, in St. Joseph, Missouri. The third of four close siblings, Dodie presided over her sister and brothers with her winning combination of charm and grace. She attended UT-Austin majoring in journalism when she met a popular, handsome Houstonian studying on the GI Bill. Sidney Krakower proposed marriage, however, was promptly sent packing by her father until he could prove his ability to support a wife in her customary manner. Married in 1947, Dodie and Sidney embarked on the ultimate adventure of work-life balance, with Dodie juggling duties at City Supply Company and motherhood demands of Karen, Terri, and Michael. She instilled in her children a love of all things playful: mahjong to monopoly, bridge to bowling—but particularly anything that required a ball. Dodie was a trophied bowler with the B’nai B’rith Women’s League, an A-rated tournament tennis player with the Westwood Country Club League, and in later years, a Houston Senior Olympics Gold Medalist in tennis. Her passion for her Houston sports teams was unflagging; she cheered the Houston Oilers even from the cold, hard bleachers of Jeppeson Stadium. She held Rockets tickets since the day the team arrived. But, it was the Astros that held her heart. Many a blanket was nervously knitted while she watched the away games on TV. Being a fan for so many years paid off this summer, when she was honored, in person, at Minute Maid Park as the longest season ticket holder in Astros history going all the way back to the Colt 45 years. Cooking was a team sport unto itself, and Dodie was the coach, manager, and owner of the kitchen franchise. One team played elbow-deep in gefilte fish makings while the other suffered injuries from making horseradish from scratch. If home is where the heart is, the Krakower heart truly resided on the Tilt’n Hilt’n porch on Galveston Bay. Loved ones for five generations have licked ketchup-drenched fried fish or Dodie’s seafood gumbo off their chins after a day of learning to sail, fish, ski or quell the sting of a jellyfish under Dodie’s patient instruction. Dodie and Sid created for Karen, Terri, and Mike a sense of love and loyalty, of safety and unity that continues to ripple out to the hundreds of loved ones related by blood or by choice. Family was and remains her crowning achievement. Dodie’s generosity was always present throughout her life. She was not flashy in her good works, preferring to work quietly in the shadows, one person at a time, one lost soul at a time or one who had simply lost their bearings for a while. Dodie’s belief in the potential good of all people has lent a hand or a second chance to more than a few, and of course, quietly without fanfare. Dodie has been and will continue to be the thread that weaves and binds together all who knew her. She is above all, “…a woman of valor, a price above rubies.” Dodie was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Fannie and Benny Sembler, her devoted husband, Sidney Krakower, Gene (Alice) Sembler, Norma Lee (Herschel) Rich, Hon. Melvin (Betty) Sembler, and Marion (Maier) Joseph. Dodie is survived by her loving children, Karen and Buster Freedman, Dr. Terri Krakower, and Michael Krakower and Suzanne Cade. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Elissa (Stuart) Shapiro, Lev Freedman, Doug (Esther) Freedman, Brittney Krakower Naaman, Andy Krakower (fiancé Lucia Videla) and Chandler Cade (fiancé Gage Baumli), and her seven great-grandchildren, Molly, Samantha, Naomi, Tova, Micah, Charlie, and Toni. She is also survived by numerous beloved nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews who will miss their Nana and Aunt Dodie deeply. In addition, heartfelt thanks to her loving “Angel” caregivers who became Dodie’s chosen family, Latoya Brown, Cynthia King, and Nina Wilson. These beautiful women lovingly cared and protected her in her final years. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Congregation Emanu El, www.Emanuelhouston.org, or to a charity of your choice. A memorial service will take place on Monday, December 16, 2024 at 1:00 pm at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77005.

Delores "Dodie" Sembler Krakower

January 12, 1929 - December 11, 2024