Freda Katz

Lifelong learner Freda Katz was born on August 4, 1925 in Houston, Texas and passed away on October 23rd, 2020. She was the sixth child of Thomas Israel and Ida Esther Katz; the baby sister to siblings Ralph (Rosalie) Katz, Blanche (Morris) Uzick, Leah (Harry) Goshkowitz, Earl (Florence) Katz, and Jack (Shirley) Katz. After graduating from Jeff Davis High School, Freda worked at Star Furniture and for David H. White, owner and publisher of the Jewish Herald Voice. While at the Herald she had the privilege of meeting Eleanor Roosevelt, whom she truly admired (along with the Wife of Bath and later, Miss Piggy.) At the age of thirty-three, she was determined to follow her passion for learning, andenrolled at the University of Texas to pursue a teaching degree. She paid her own way through a combination of part-time work and scholarships and graduated Phi Beta Kappa in 1962. Freda was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship for summer study at the American Academy in Rome and Naples, Italy, in 1965. Freda was a beloved teacher of English and Latin at Sharpstown High School for many years, describing her teaching experience as "complete joy and fulfillment". She encouraged and inspired many of her students who stayed in touch with her to provide updates on their accomplishments as they knew she considered their victories to be hers as well. Freda wrote in her many notes that her philosophy of teaching was "to give each young individual the marvelous experience of being awakened to the excitement of learning. With this experience, hopefully, will come a sense of beauty, a sense of the dignity of man, in himself and in others and the result will be a community and a world in which we will all be proud to participate." Freda was an ambitious traveler and visited many countries including Russia, Greece and England; Egypt and Israel; and China, always bringing back new languages, souvenirs and stories. A true Leo, Freda surrounded herself with things she loved -- lions, burnt orange, bright lipstick, big jewelry, millions of books -- and lived her life just the way she wanted to: independently, creatively, boldly, and generously. She delighted in having fun and loved heated debates and dirty jokes. Freda extended her instruction and encouragement beyond the classroom to her family as well. She did not have children of her own, so Freda personally saw to it that three generations of nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews received an informal education in the arts. Aunt Freda escorted them to countless plays, movies, museums, musicals, art classes, puppet shows, libraries, concerts, and trips. She was excited by culture and art, both high and low. Freda's Judaism was very important to her. She endowed a library at Chabad Outreach of Houston and considered Rabbi Moishe Traxler a very dear friend and teacher, whose classes she regularly attended as long as she was able. Freda is survived by nieces and nephews Max (Rae) Uzick, Jack Uzick, Harriet (Dan) Singer, Richard Katz, Ida (Ron) Pozamantier, sister-in-law Shirley Katz, grand-niece and nephews Melissa (Allan) Goldstein, Randy (Marcy) Uzick, Tommy (Linda) Uzick, Jeffrey (Loretta) Uzick and Courtney Pozmantier, and numerous great-grand and great-great-grand nieces and nephews. The family is especially grateful for the loving and compassionate care Freda received for many years from her personal caregiver, Keisha Holmes and also from the staff at Seven Acres Senior Care Center. Private funeral services were held at Adath Israel Cemetery, Donations in Freda's memory may be made to a local teacher's project via Donors Choose (https://www.donorschoose.org/) or Chabad of Houston. As a remembrance of Freda, read a book or tell a joke.