Louise Katzman

She was preceded in death by her devoted husband of 57 years, Herschel Katzman, her parents, Louis H. Brooks, Sr., and Rachel Weschler Brooks, her sisters Nettie Brooks Strauch and Elsie Brooks Kornman, and her brothers, Boris J. Brooks and Joseph D. Brooks. She is survived by her brother Louis H. Brooks, Jr., her daughters, Terry Katzman Rosenblum (Bernie) and Cindy Louise Katzman, her son, Brooks Herschel Katzman (Kathy); her grandchildren Laura Brooks Katzman, Eugene, OR, Sarah Ann Katzman, Madison, WI, Jodie Kay Rosenblum (Dylan Hawes-Glynn), Nashville, and many loving nieces, nephews, and dear friends.

An irrepressible optimist and extrovert, Louise was a born leader who loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was an involved and fun-loving wife, mother and grandmother and a passionate and tireless community volunteer and advocate for anyone needing a helping hand. She had a good sense of humor and believed that laughter and exercise were the “best medicine”. She proudly played tennis into her 99th year.

She was born in Nashville on March 21,1914, to parents who had immigrated to the U.S. from Kishinev, Moldova (formerly Russia) in the early 1900’s. She was a member of the 1st graduating class of Parmer Elementary. She attended Central High School, the University of Alabama, and graduated from Vanderbilt University. After college, she enrolled in the first class of the U.T. Nashville School of Social Work; (This was the original and only social work school in Tennessee at that time), and she finished her studies at Washington University’s School of Social Work.

Louise married her beloved Herschel in 1941 and, soon after his return from military service during World War II, they had three children.

She was a professional social worker for 10 years, serving at the Tennessee Department of Public Welfare (now DHS), the American Red Cross, Jewish Family Service, and as Acting Director of the Children’s Bureau (now Family and Children’s Service). She later devoted her time and talents to volunteer activities and is credited with the founding or ‘saving’ of several social service agencies in the Nashville area. She was the founding Chairman of Hickory Hall School for Emotionally Disturbed Children (now Murrell School) and Park Center, among others, and was President of the Board of Directors of the Mental Health Association of Nashville, Jewish Family Service, OIC, House of Friendship, Dede Wallace Drug Treatment Center, Nashville Child Center, and the Council of Jewish Women Home for Convalescent Children. She served on many other boards through the years including United Way and the Jewish Federation.

Over the course of her years of volunteer service, Louise received numerous awards, including the 1994 YWCA Woman of Achievement Award, the Chesed Award for Outstanding Contribution to Jewish Family Service, the 2007 Sage Award of The Council on Aging of Greater Nashville and the 1974 Clara Barton Award from the American Red Cross. She was honored to have a “Distinguished Volunteer Award” named for her by the Mental Health Association of Nashville (now Mental Health Association of Middle TN) in 1984.

For 15 years, Louise was a partner with her dear friend Betty Werthan in the Katzman/Werthan Art Gallery, supporting local sculptors and promoting sculpture art. She was a lifelong member of The Temple, the Nashville Jewish Community Center and the Academy of Certified Social Workers. She remained active in her senior years, continuing to serve on community organization boards, spending time with her children and grandchildren, and contributing her energies to projects at the Blakeford Retirement Community .

The family gratefully acknowledges the compassionate care provided by Louise's physicians, Dr. Edwin Anderson and Dr. Michael Zanolli, her exceptional caregivers, Diane Shakur, Doris Wade, and family members, and the staffs of the Blakeford, Blakeford at Home, and Alive Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at two o’clock on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at The Temple, 5015 Harding Road in Nashville, conducted by Rabbi Shana Goldstein Mackler. A visitation will be held at The Temple one hour prior to the service. Burial will take place at the Temple Cemetery, 2001-15th Ave. North, immediately following the service. Minyan services will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Hank Brooks Fund at The Temple, 5015 Harding Rd, Nashville, 37205; Park Center, 801- 12thAve. South, Nashville, Tennessee 37203; or Nashville OIC, P.O. Box 280507, Nashville, TN 3722

Arrangements under the direction of Marshall Donnelly Combs Funeral Home, Nashville, Tennessee.