Eileen Friedman Cersonsky

Eileen Friedman Cersonsky, died peacefully on Thursday, the 28th of August 2025, after a long illness with her family by her side. She was born on the 21st of July 1930, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was 95 years of age.

She was the first of two children to Nat and Thelma Friedman. She moved with her family to Tyler, Texas and then to Houston where she attended Roberts Elementary and Lanier Junior High before graduating from Lamar High School in 1948. Eileen then graduated from The University of Texas in 1952 with a degree in Drama. She was also an active member of Alpha Epsilon Phi sorority. She remained an active alumna.

She is survived by her sons, M.H. “Butch” Cersonsky and his wife Sandra, and James Andrew Cersonsky and his wife Kelly; and her granddaughter, Lindsey. She is also survived by her sister, Muriel Mendell; numerous nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, and husband Leonard “Swede” Cersonsky. She has remained very close with her sister and her niece, Robin Mendell, throughout the years.

After graduating from the University of Texas, Eileen began teaching at a drama school in Houston before getting engaged. She and Swede stayed in Houston and lived in three neighborhoods before settling in Tanglewood in the 1970’s.

Eileen was involved in community activities at Congregation Emanu El including being an actress and the narrator at many of the Temple’s theater productions from the 50’s through the 70’s. Her family was one of the founding members of Congregation Emanu El in the 1940’s. She was also in the Temple’s Sisterhood for many years. She was also involved in the PTO at Longfellow Elementary and Beth Yeshurun Day School. Eileen was also very supportive of Swede when he was President of Congregation Emanu El, 7 Acres Jewish Senior Care Services, Israel Bonds, and Westwood Country Club.

Eileen truly enjoyed life and people. She especially enjoyed playing Mah Jong and Bridge with her friends. She loved to go out to eat, especially at fine dining restaurants like Tony’s, Brennan’s, and Mortons. She was very fond of Kenny and Ziggy’s where she would often go with Kelly and Lindsey. She enjoyed cooking for her family and her favorite meals to make were Swiss Steak, Meatballs and Spaghetti, Broiled Chicken and Lasagna.

She loved to travel especially overseas to places like Paris, London, India, and China. She loved to go shopping and eating at Sakowitz’s, Nordstrom’s and Neiman Marcus. Her sister-in-law, Anne Feuer, would invite Eileen to New York to go shopping for Anne’s retail store in Havre, Montana. She would attend Butch’s basketball games at Pershing Junior High and James’ baseball games both in Little League and High School at Robert E. Lee High School. She always dressed immaculately and loved her weekly hair salon appointments. She also enjoyed dancing with her husband. She had so many friends and enjoyed socializing, but the heart of her life was Lindsey who made her a grandmother for the first time at age 80.

One of her joys was to dress Lindsey up and get professional photos done.

She was always feisty when she thought she was wronged-thus she was given the nickname “Pistol.” She never backed down from a fight and was never afraid to tell the truth but always in a Southern graceful way.

The family wishes to thank Dr. Martin White and the numerous doctors and nurses for their compassionate treatment over the past few years. The family also wishes to thank Bobbie Johnson and her wonderful team for their extraordinary care and genuine concern for Eileen in her declining years.

A funeral service is to be conducted at half-past twelve o’clock noon on Tuesday, the 2nd of September at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Boulevard in Houston, where Rabbi Pamela Silk and Rabbi Roy Walter are to officiate.

The interment will follow, via an escorted cortege, at Emanu El Memorial Park in Houston.