Elinor Roth Catsman, died peacefully yesterday just three months short of her 103rd birthday. She lived a long, happy and complete life. All who knew her marveled at how beautiful, kind and healthy she was until the very end.
Elinor's longevity and elegance were just a small component of who she was. She and her husband, David, the love of her life, were Miami pioneers, having moved here in 1936. While Dave was practicing law and fighting discrimination, Elinor was president of the Ida Fisher Junior High PTA and leader of Brownie and Girl Scout troops. She was especially proud to have been invited to the White House Conference on Education in 1954. She and her dear friend, Grace Goldstein, developed the first televised consumer advocacy program in South Florida called Call to Action, which aired on Channel 6 in the late 60's. Elinor played competitive golf from high school until a shoulder injury sidelined her at age 89. Her bridge skills were renowned and she was a wonderful baker, cook and talented hostess. She was a diehard liberal Democrat until the end.
Elinor was proud to be the first married woman to graduate from the University of Miami in 1936 and she remained a dedicated Canes fan her entire life. She was smart, well read, up to date on current events and delighted in her philanthropy as a major donor to the University of Miami Law School's Center of Ethics and Public Service as well as a multitude of other charities.
Most importantly, she deeply loved her children, Ellen and Philip Freidin and Julie and Gary Simon; her grandchildren, Allison (Greg), Jonathan, Josh(Ashley), and Jillian; and her great grandchildren, Lucas and Jude. She is survived by three "younger" siblings, Betty Naster 96, Andrew Roth 93, and her "baby brother", John Roth, 87. She was their beloved mentor and revered big sis. As a baby growing up in Pittsburgh and Detroit, she acquired the nickname Snookie when her family couldn't decide on a name for her.
Contributions may be made to the University of Miami Law School, David P. Catsman Fellowship at the Center for Ethics and Public Service, P. O. Box 248087, Coral Gables, FL 33124 at https://advancement.miami.edu/netcommunity/sslpage.asp? or to Temple Judea at http://judeagables.org/index.php/support-us/make-a-donation.
