Edna Flaxman

Edna Linz Kahn Flaxman, the daughter of Bernice and Asher Kahn, was born June 14, 1918 in Dallas in the South Ervay home of her grandparents, Beccie and Simon Linz. A proud descendent of one of Dallas’ earliest pioneering families, Edna spent much of her life giving back to the city that meant so much to her. Throughout her life, she spoke with deep admiration of the leadership role that her grandfather had played not only in establishing Linz Bros. Jewelers and the Linz Award, but also in creating the Linz Pin program in which for many decades every Dallas high school student who maintained a B or better grade point average was presented a specially designed “Linz Pin.”

Edna’s childhood was spent playing with her buddies on South Boulevard, many of whose names are an integral part of the history of Dallas. In 1935, she graduated from The Hockaday School, which was founded by her grandfather and nine other Dallasites who wanted their daughters to receive an excellent and well-rounded education. In 1939, Edna graduated magna cum laude from the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. After college, she returned to Texas and began her career as a social worker with the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in Paris, Texas. While attending a Texas Social Welfare Association Convention in Galveston, she was introduced to her husband-to-be, Carl Blum Flaxman, also a social worker. They married in 1941 and moved to Austin where Carl worked for Governor Pappy Lee O’Daniel. They returned to Dallas in 1943 and began their family. During their 46 year marriage, Edna and Carl frequently worked hand-in-hand on civic projects. Carl was a man with great vision and innovative ideas, ideas that Edna’s leadership skills and practical know-how often helped convert into reality. During her presidency of the Greater Dallas Section, National Council of Jewish Women, NCJW helped to establish and fund the first program of social services for Dallas jail inmates and their families. During her tenure as President of the Dallas Women’s Council, Edna, with Carl as her advisor, successfully led the Women’s Council’s campaign to establish a Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Texas in Arlington, the first such school in North Texas.

Edna wore many volunteer hats. She was President of the Dallas Girl Scout Council; The Hockaday School Alumnae Association; and the Women’s Council of Dallas County. Dallas’ children and families are better served because of her positive influence on the boards of the YWCA, the Dallas County United Fund; the Dallas Family Guidance Clinic; the Dallas Health and Science Museum; the Dallas Health Planning Council; and the Callier Hearing and Speech Center. Dallas’ living architectural heritage is richer because of her work with the Dallas County Heritage Society and the Dallas Landmarks Commission. She also served on the boards of The Hockaday School and the Dallas United Nations Association. She was an officer of the Women’s Board of the Dallas Opera, and served on the Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Board of Community Services.

A lifelong member of Temple Emanu-El, Edna attended Sunday School there and watched all three of her daughters be confirmed and married in this Reform Jewish congregation. She served on the Board of Temple Emanu-El’s Sisterhood and on the Worship Committee. She also was the founder and longtime chair of Temple’s Archives Committee.

In 1988, Edna was awarded The Hockaday Medal, an honor given to alumnae who excel in their chosen field of endeavor and serve as a role model to students. In 2004, she was selected by the National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Dallas Section, to be the recipient of their highest honor, the Hannah G. Soloman Award, presented to individuals who have changed the lives of others through their leadership efforts and service.

Edna is survived by two daughters, Suzi Greenman and her husband, Jack; and Peggy Millheiser and her husband, David; six grandchildren, Elizabeth Greenman and her wife, Dawn Suvino; John Greenman and his wife, Zahie El Kouri; Betsy Baum Block and her husband, Lawrence; Michael Baum and his wife Christell; and Anne Millheiser and Robert Millheiser; and by three great grandchildren, Addison and Brendan Baum and Nico Greenman. She also is survived by her devoted sister and brother, Betty Dreyfus and her husband, Asher; and Alan Kahn and his wife, Rita, as well as by her son-in-law, Lester Baum, and by loving nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, as well as by her husband, Carl Flaxman, and by her daughter, Katherine F. Baum.

Edna passed away peacefully at her home on September 25, 2012 surrounded by her family who loved her dearly. The family wishes to offer deep gratitude to her care givers, Misty McFatridge, Tammy Miller, Jeanette Smith, Carol Swindale and Sheila Wilcoxen; to Jennifer Wainwright, Shira Leonard and the staff of Hospice Plus; and to Margarita Mojarro for their sincere care and kindness.

A memorial service will be held at Temple Emanu-El Olan Sanctuary at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, September 28, 2012. A private burial will be at the Temple Emanu-El Cemtery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to The Hockaday School; to the Katherine F. Baum Fund, the Archives Committee or the Social Action Committee of Temple Emanu-El; to National Council of Jewish Women, Greater Dallas Section; or to the charity of your choice. For more information, please visit http://www.sparkman-hillcrest.com.