Polya Katz

Polya Katz was born to a Jewish family on July 16, 1929, in the city of Bender in Bessarabia region, Romania (presently Republic Moldova). In those days, Bender was a Jewish shtetl where Polya’s father inherited a leather store, selling small pieces of leather to the local shoemakers. His first wife died leaving him with a son, Joseph, who was 16 years older than Polya. She also had a sister, Liza, younger by 6 years. The family life was modest but decent. Joseph went to the medical school in Italy, and the girls attended the gymnasium. In 1940, the Soviet Union annexed Bessarabia, and the happy life of the family ended at once. In June of 1941, together with some other residents, they were ordered by authorities to “relocate” taking no more than a bag per person. Once they arrived at the train station, men were separated from women and children, placed in the cargo cars, and sent to Siberia to a labor camp. Many years later, one of the men returned and told the fate of Polya’s father: he got sick cutting trees without warm clothes and was shot to death by one of the guards. Polya, with her mother and younger sister, was sent to exile in a different region of Siberia. The children, having no warm clothes, had to dig branches out of the deep snow and carry them to their apartment, located in a basement, to warm it up – the Siberian winter temperature often fell below -40 F. One morning, the girls woke up to find their mother passed. The authorities wanted to send the girls to an orphanage facility, but their older brother, Joseph, working also in Siberia as a physician, found out what happened and came to their rescue. They returned to Bender, and Joseph took care of the girls until they finished their education and got married. Polya went to a nursing school first, and after graduation went to the medical school in Kishinev. She met Eric Katz who was also a medical school student, one year older. Soon they married. After graduation, Eric was drafted into the Soviet army as a military physician and sent to the Far East – the Pacific coast of the Soviet Union. Being pregnant, Polya followed him, and in February 1952, their only son, Boris, was born. Polya developed some blood poisoning and with no antibiotics and fresh fruits and vegetables available there, the decision was made to send her with the baby back to Moldova. The planes were small in those days and the trip from the Far East to Moscow took several days. Eric’s father met them in Moscow and helped them to come back to Kishinev. This is where Polya and Boris came under the supervision and care of Eric’s mother, Feiga. The local doctors found Polya’s health condition critical and, in their opinion, in the absence of proper medications, it was possible to save only one life – the mother or the child. But Feiga was a strong woman. She firmly responded – both the mother and the child. Every morning Feiga went to the local marketplace to buy fresh beef liver. She chopped the raw liver, mixed it with some onion, and made Polya eat it. Many times, later, Polya would mention that her mother-in-law, Feiga, was her life savior. Eric was able to retire from military service 6 years later. He came to Kishinev and they both started their careers as internal medicine doctors seeing patients in the office as well as making house calls, as it was customary in the Soviet Union. Eric had a weak heart. He died in 1984 after having his third heart attack at only 56 years old. In 1991, Polya retired and with the whole family moved to Houston. She learned English and was able to communicate, read and write remarkably, making few errors. Polya very much appreciated life in the US and often mentioned that if she had stayed in Moldova she would be gone a long time ago. Polya was blessed to see two grandchildren, Ellie and Jonathan, who she loved dearly. She always enjoyed their visits and asked about them often. Polya will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her. Her legacy of love, kindness, and compassion will live on in the hearts and minds of those she leaves behind. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, November 22, 2024, at Beth Yeshurun Post Oak Cemetery, 7445 Awty School Ln., Houston, Texas 77055.

Polya Katz

July 16, 1929 - November 19, 2024