Miriam "Mimi" Katz

Miriam "Mimi" Katz, 88, a retired convention sales and community relations representative, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2015. She was born on April 25, 1926 in Boston, MA to William and Frances (nee Green) Goldberg and was a Las Vegas resident since 1957. She is preceded in death by George Katz, her beloved husband of 42 years, and survived by her three daughters, Tobey (David) Bergen of San Carlos, CA, Nancy Katz of Las Vegas, and Amy (Montie) Parker of Mill Valley, CA; one sister, Cece Wasserman of New York City, NY; four grandchildren, Zachary and Travis Parker and Danielle and Rachel Bergen; and many nieces and nephews. Mimi attended Alexander Hamilton School in Brighton, MA, where she was twice promoted to a higher grade. She graduated from Girls Latin School, a college preparatory high school. The caption by her GLS yearbook picture was: The feminine figure divine – the one we all want but haven't got...loves sports. Following secretarial school, Mimi worked at Raytheon Manufacturing to pay for higher education. She subsequently graduated from the Massachusetts School of Physiotherapy and worked at the National Institute of Poliomyelitis in Washington, D.C., during WWII and later for a general practitioner in Boston. Mimi moved to Las Vegas on her honeymoon with George and soon became active in Temple Beth Sholom (TBS). She worked at the Clark County School District briefly and volunteered at several nonprofits (Easter Seals, Jewish War Veterans Auxiliary), and for PTA and other educational, Democratic and women’s rights causes while raising 3 daughters. Mimi later began a career in convention sales at the Las Vegas Hilton, Sahara and Sands hotels, followed by 10 years in community relations at the Jewish Federation of Las Vegas where she was instrumental in the development and promotion of its Holocaust program and related school and community outreach. In “retirement,” Mimi used her considerable organizing and coordinating skills and talents to affect positive change, volunteering for many charitable, community, civic, educational, Jewish and Democratic causes. Some organizations included Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, Brandeis University-LV Chapter, TBS Women's League and Volunteers in Medicine. Prior to and during retirement, she also volunteered on many political campaigns and organized candidates' nights at TBS. Mimi loved dancing and music. She was a member of a Russian dance group in Boston and enjoyed attending all types of musical performances. She never stopped learning through life experiences and taking classes through UNLV's OLLI program. She also loved sports, serving as captain of her high school field hockey team, and passionately supporting Boston and UNLV sports teams. Family and friends were most important to Mimi. She nurtured and cherished each. She touched the lives of many and continually welcomed others into her extended family. Funeral services will be at noon on Friday, April 17, 2015 at King David Memorial Chapel, 2697 E. Eldorado Lane. Burial will follow at Palm Valley View Cemetery. Family requests that memorial donations be sent to the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health or Temple Beth Sholom. King David Memorial Chapel handled the arrangements.