Linkie Seltzer

LINKIE SELTZER Linkie Seltzer (Lenora Joyce Levine) was born November 22, 1925, in Dallas, Texas. She was an incredible human being, a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother; professional dancer, public speaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist; quintessential community volunteer and bridge builder, author and friend. She made her home in Dallas where she lived a long and full life. Linkie passed away peacefully on December 31, 2025 at the age of 100. Linkie was preceded in death by her parents, Ann and Nathan Levine from Odessa, Russia (now Ukraine); her first husband and father of her children, Marcus Seltzer who in 1973 was killed in a freak workplace accident while saving his secretary's life; her second husband, Henry Cohn; and her brother, Gerald Levine. She is survived by her wonderful children: her daughters, Adrienne and Cathy (Pierre Negrel) and her son, Robert (Teresa Parker); her grandchildren, Rachel Marissa Lithman (Alexander Vargas Martinez) and Marcus Daniel Lithman (Brittany Taggart); and her great grandsons, Atlas Lithman Vargas and Dillon Taggart Lithman. Linkie attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) and the University of Texas in Austin. She was a professional dancer for the Starlight Operettas at Dallas Fair Park from 1943-1944. She taught ballroom dancing as well as trained new teachers at Arthur Murray Dance Studio. Linkie was a lifelong volunteer which led to many acknowledgements and accolades. She was active in the Dallas community, volunteering to raise money for important causes locally, nationally and internationally. She volunteered for B'nai B'rith, Shearith Israel Synagogue, Choreography of Musicals, and served as den mother for the Girl & Boy Scouts. She served as Executive Director of the Southwest Region of American Friends of the Hebrew University and Ambassador for Dallas at DFW Airport. She taught all about "love" at three junior colleges, and started her own speaker's bureau, Speaker's Source International. She served as Campaign Chairman and President of the Women's Fundraising Division of the Dallas Jewish Federation, followed by President of the Women's Committee. She also served as Chairman of the Human Relations Commission for Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Among her greatest honors was to be included in the initial publication of Cambridge International Biography, "One Thousand Great Americans," to be nominated for the Dallas Linz Award, and to be listed in Who's Who since the mid-eighties. She was honored with the Bridge Builder's Award for having linked the director of the Dallas Turtle Creek Chorale with Temple Shalom's cantor where together they sang at the Meyerson Symphony Center during the holiday season. She served as a trustee for six years at the Callier Center for Communication Disorders forging an alliance between deaf children wearing cochlear implants with the Turtle Creek Chorale. She authored books to inspire and motivate at-risk youth for Big Brothers Big Sisters, and produced a TV series, Covenant, for ABC. Forever trying new things, Linkie traveled far and wide to Israel, Europe, Bali, and India where she learned the art of meditation. She was always active, learning, and giving of herself. She lived a beautiful life full of dignity, optimism and enormous resilience. She will be remembered for her vibrant and positive spirit which allowed her to cultivate deep and loving relationships with family and friends throughout her lifetime. Her family wishes to thank Rabbi David Stern of Temple Emanu-El and his fellow clergy who supported Linkie in her life and final moments. The family also wishes to thank Linkie's many caregivers: her doctors and the staff and caregivers who loved her and provided her with outstanding care at the Legacy Midtown Park Healthcare Center and Assisted Living Center. They thank Elina (Lena) Romanov and the staff at Legacy at Home Hospice, and Lisa Stanford and Norma Housey for keeping a close eye on Linkie, enhancing her life. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Marcus Seltzer Fund at the Dallas Jewish Community Center, Temple Emanu-El, The Legacy Senior Communities, or Jewish Family Service. A memorial service will be held at Temple Emanu-El, to be announced at a later date.

Linkie Seltzer

November 22, 1925 - December 31, 2025