Maxine Phyllis Waldman

Maxine Phyllis Polakoff Waldman, cherished and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother was born July 22, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois and passed away at age 96 on September 10, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. The daughter of the late Rose and Maurice Polakoff, Maxine lived in Chicago until, at age five, she moved to Houston, Texas along with her parents and brother, the late Richard Polakoff. Four years later, the family moved to Dallas, Texas where Maxine became a member of the first graduating class of Bradfield Elementary. She then graduated from Forest High School, attended The University of Oklahoma in Norman and, after one semester, returned to Dallas to attend SMU.

She met her husband, Erwin I. Waldman, when she was 14 years old. They married in 1940 and shared a devoted, caring life together for 61 years until he preceded her in death in 2001. Her favorite activities were being with her husband and enjoying their 3 children and their spouses, 10 grandchildren and their spouses, and 25 great-grandchildren. She was a constant and loving part of the family, living in Dallas until her final day.

Maxine was a championship level bridge player, even playing the game online, competing with opponents from all over the world. She was an advisor to the B’nai B'rith Youth Organization for many years and was also a devoted volunteer at The Presbyterian Healthcare Center in Dallas for 44 years. An active and respected member of Congregation Shearith Israel, she planned many functions, was honored as an outstanding volunteer and was the first woman to hold the Torah on the Bimah during Yom Kippur's sacred Kol Nidre prayer.

She knew no stranger and all ages were welcomed into her home. Her nieces, nephews and many friends of her children called her "Aunt Max". All will forever remember her smile, her hugs and her caring, fun personality. A true role model, she was a woman of valor filled with light, love and laughter.

"Mimi" as she was affectionately called, is survived by her three children: Carol Gene Cohen (Howard), Cherie Small (Neal), and Steve Waldman, (Jackie); her grandchildren: Kay Ellen Pollack (Jake), Scott Cohen (Barbi), Wendy Elliott (Leo), Justin Small (Nicole), Melissa Plaskoff (Bart), Macey Davis (Steve), Mark Cohen (Lauren), Todd Waldman (Liz), Meredith Wallace (Scott), and Michael Waldman (Natalie); and her 25 great-grandchildren: Ryan Pollack, Kacey Cohen, Ben Pollack, Ella Cohen, Ethan Tobias, Jayden Cohen, Julia Small, Hudson Plaskoff, Olivia Cohen, Connor Tobias, Riley Cohen, Charlie Waldman, Sadie Small, Parker Plaskoff, Andrew Waldman, Campbell Davis, Sam Waldman, Fulton Davis, Annabelle Plaskoff, Katie Waldman, Bud Wallace, Sophie Waldman, Ashley Wallace, Simon Waldman, and Holt Wallace. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Roslyn Polakoff, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Mark Fleschler for his brilliant expertise, wisdom and compassion; “Miss B” (Beatriz) Martinez, Jane Kihui, Kellen Sebbowa and Thabi Chidawanyika for their gentle care of Maxine and the warmth and kindness they showed the family during her last year; and the entire team at Seasons Hospice and Palliative Care for providing the comfortable environment in which Maxine spent her final days.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to the Congregation Shearith Israel Small/Waldman/Cohen Music Fund, the Maxine and Erwin Waldman Youth Scholarship Fund of the Jewish Community Center of Dallas, the Dallas Holocaust Museum/Center for Education and Tolerance or to the charity of choice.

Maxine’s Final Words:

May you live as long as you want

and never want as long as you live.

Arrangements especially for the Waldman family by: Ted Dickey West Funeral Home