Charlene Nathan

Charlene “Char” Nathan passed away peacefully on March 24, 2024. She was the treasured Mom to her son, Zachary Michael Nathan and his wife Dara, and the greatly adored “Nonny” to their children Naomi Evelyn, Judah Joseph, and Abigail Miriam. She was not just a sister but a dear cherished friend to her siblings Marcia Rose Broodo Sinclair; Jack Broodo and his wife Linda; and Kenneth Chaim Broodo and his wife Beth. She was also the beloved Aunt, “Tanta”, and “G-Tan” to her nieces and nephews Shea Alyssa Sinclair; Chelsea Rhianna Litoff (nee’ Sinclair), her husband Austin Morris, and their children Archer Louis and Marshall Aron; Nicholas David ob”m, Daniel Harrison, Michael, and Caleb Benjamin Broodo; Rachel Rosenberg (nee’ Broodo), her husband Hillel Shlomo, and their son Nechemia Aryeh; Leah Esther Margolies (nee’ Broodo), her husband Rafael Shmuel Chaim, and their son Gavriel Azaryah; and Mordechai David Broodo. Char was born July 4, 1954, in Fort Worth to Dr. Archie and Dorothy Broodo ob”m, growing up in Dallas, Texas where she was close with her many relatives here and in Houston. She attended Hillcrest High School and was active in BBYO. She was independent and entrepreneurial from a young age, working part time jobs while in school, before graduating at the top of her class with a B.S. in Math from the University of Houston, passing the famously difficult actuarial exam, and then later working as a math teacher, as a computer systems engineer in the 80’s for one of the first tax software companies, and as a traveling and incredibly successful saleswoman. Over the course of her life, soon after having her son, she lived as a single Mom, and over the years she battled and was victorious over Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, then progressive multiple sclerosis, then repeat bouts of lymphoma, and then breast cancer – suffering physically but living fully independently at home, with a constant simchas ha’chaim – happiness in life – true to her Hebrew name Tzivia Simcha. One of her earliest responses to losing the ability to walk was to fly to Hawaii to swim with the dolphins. Charlene was an avid life-long and unbeatable player of Mah Jong and other games. She had an active social life with her family and many friends. She was deeply and spiritually connected to her Judaism and was incredibly proud of her children and grandchildren living fulsome Jewish lives. She was a member and attendee at Congregation Ohr HaTorah Dallas from its inception in 1999. She was a happy and smiling regular at family Shabbos and Yuntiv tables – and at all family birthday and anniversary celebrations – and was often in the center of their planning. She treated everyone with a love, empathy, and acceptance that was palpable. Char loved her family dearly and always made sure that she was there for everyone – present without excuses – even if it meant overcoming her disabilities to take on difficult travel to attend weddings, simchas, or just family vacations, even during Covid. She was like an additional loving Mom to her nieces and nephews. She adored and was adored by her mother and father Dorothy and Archie Broodo who preceded her in passing (Dorothy only this past summer), and is survived by her son Zach, daughter-in-law Dara, and grandchildren Naomi, J.J., and Abby, who were the collective and absolute Apple of her Eye. She was the center connection point in our family, and we are heartbroken. Her memory should be for a blessing.

Charlene Nathan

July 4, 1954 - March 24, 2024