Ellen Reichenthal

Ellen Renee Reichenthal, 74, passed away on Friday, March 7, 2025, in Houston, Texas. She was born on September 12, 1950, in Houston to the late Sidney and Evelyn Reichenthal. Ellen lived a full and vibrant life, marked by her love for family, community, and the activities she cherished. She graduated from Madison High School in 1970 and dedicated 40 years of her life to living and working at Cullen Residence Hall at The Center. In recent years, she retired from Celebration Company after 10 years of service. Ellen was an active participant in various organizations, including Yachad, Nite Owls, and Friendship Circle. Along with her mother, she volunteered at Seven Acres for many years, serving at the Oneg Shabbat musical events, where she served cake and punch, always bringing smiles and joy to the residents. Additionally, Ellen loved going to work with her brother, her always-positive demeanor enriching the environment at the business their grandfather began. Ellen’s passion for life extended to her hobbies. She was an avid bowler who found joy in every game, whether she bowled a 60 or a 200. She was also a talented crocheter, lovingly creating blankets, potholders, and other handmade items for family, friends, and anyone who requested them. Ellen treasured her time at Celebration Company. She adored the staff and coworkers there, where she took pride in a wide range of tasks — from rolling candles and tying ribbons to assembling boxes, creating photo art, ceramics, and custom napkins. She was also a star salesperson for Millie Dean’s famous honeyless honey cakes. For the past 8 years, Ellen lived at Noah’s House, a nurturing community for independent adults with intellectual disabilities. Her family is deeply grateful to the dedicated staff there, including Jonte Reed, Christy Estrada, Kristle Ellis, Grecia Perez, and all those who helped Ellen achieve as much independence as possible. Ellen had a special fondness for dogs and loved spending time with Belle, Nelson, and Bailey, always enjoying their company and playfulness. Ellen was preceded in death by her parents, Sidney and Evelyn Reichenthal. She is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Sandy and Myron Friedman; her brother and sister-in-law, Max and Susan Reichenthal; her nieces and nephews, Asher and Miriam Friedman, Eitan and Chana Friedman, Naomi and Jeff Schrager, Nathan, Jaclyn, and Ariel Reichenthal; as well as her great-nieces and nephews, Yedidya, Yair, Akiva, Halleli Friedman, Leeba and Yohay Yaffe, Rivka, Yeshaya, and Binyamin Friedman, Tsipporah, Tamar, Tzvi, Yehudah, and Chavah Hadar Schrager. She is also survived by her beloved cousins, Steve, Mike, Beverly, Myra, Marty, Gary, Ronnie, and Terry. The family would like to express their deep appreciation for her physician, Alan Hoffman, and her amazing caregivers, Ellen’s Angels, who supported her during her recent illness: Eva Byrd, Jean Melendez, Kim Childress, LaQuitta Clay, and Natasia Law. Donations can be made to Noah’s House TX (www.noahshousetx.org), Celebration Company (www.alexanderjfs.org/donate), and Seven Acres (www.sevenacres.org/tributes). A funeral service was held on Sunday, March 9, 2025 at United Orthodox Synagogues, 9001 Greenwillow St., Houston, Texas 77096, followed by a burial at Adath Israel Cemetery, 4714 Airline Dr., Houston, Texas 77002. The funeral service was livestreamed at: https://www.youtube.com/live/1udnt9ytbvU?si=Ta66U3Tr5mb5_MlC

Ellen Reichenthal

September 12, 1950 - March 7, 2025