Margot Alexander Moritz

Margot was born October 14, 1921 in Bonn, Germany to Carola and Fritz Alexander. Her father died when she was two, and her mother remarried three years later, adding brother Bernd and sister Ingrid to the family. As Germany’s darkening political scenario in the 1930’s made life increasingly difficult for Jews, an aunt in the U.S. helped her get to New York City in 1938. Margot adored her new country with all its freedom and opportunities. It was here, in 1942, that she met the love of her life, Werner Moritz, a German immigrant serving in the U.S. Army. Although he was soon transferred to Washington, D.C., their love endured, and six months later, on January 2, 1943, they married in New York during his furlough. The couple lived in Alexandria, VA until Werner was shipped overseas, and Margot returned to New York. After the war they lived in New York City, where Werner started his own business, and where they had two children, Joan and Paul. The family moved to Teaneck, NJ in 1954, and relocated permanently to Charlotte in 1962.

Margot was a devoted mother who loved traveling the world with her husband, listening to opera (she was a huge fan of Luciano Pavarotti and Three Tenors), attending theatre and symphony, reading books, and wearing beautiful clothes, but she also prized the simple pleasure of lunch with friends. She had especially fond memories of lunches at the Belk cafeteria, where staff knew her by name.

Volunteer work was very important in her life. She was extremely active at Temple Beth El (Decorating Committee, Welcoming Committee, Hadassah, Sisterhood), volunteered for 15 years at Presbyterian Hospital in the gift shop and at the reception desk, and also worked in the office of Charlotte Hospice.

Margot Moritz will be remembered for her great love of family and friends, for her generosity of spirit, her sense of humor, and for living her life with unfailing dignity, beauty and grace.

Mrs. Moritz is survived by her daughter, Joan, of Seattle, WA; her son, Paul, his partner Ellen Myers and her son, Sam, of Charlotte; her brother, Bernd and his wife Erika, niece, Karen Haase-Gray, nephew, Kai Ihringer, and their families, all of New Jersey; and many, many dear friends in Charlotte, including friends made in the last five years at the Cypress Retirement Community. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 67 years, Werner Moritz.

Services will be held on Wednesday, February 20th at Temple Beth El at 1:30 pm, with friends and family welcome beginning at 1:00 pm. Interment will follow at Hebrew Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in Margot’s name to the North Carolina Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, or to Jewish Family Services.

The family would especially like to thank the amazing caregivers of Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, particularly Lisa and Jill, who made our mother’s life so much easier in her final days. We are indebted forever to her trusted companion, Leah, who was there for Mom in every way.