Ivis Harriman Westheimer

Ivis Harriman Westheimer, passed away on the evening of Wednesday, the 14th of August 2024, at the age of 85 in Houston, due to natural causes. During her final days, she was attentively watched over by loving family members, caregivers, and pets.

Born in St. Johnsbury, Vermont on the 6th of July 1939, Ivis was raised in Vermont, spent several years in Ohio during her late teens and twenties, and moved to Houston in the late 1960s. In addition to raising four children, she also received a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature and a Master’s degree in Art History from University of St. Thomas in Houston. In her later years, Ivis took a great deal of pleasure serving as a museum Docent at MFAH/Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens where she recently achieved 20 years of service. She enjoyed inspiring the public by finding words to invite a person’s imagination into works of art. Always looking stylish, she prided herself on her sense of fashion and enjoyed interior decorating, literary writing, playing Mahjong, and especially having meaningful conversations with friends and family. Ivis always had pets surrounding her and had a special relationship with her final dog, Sam.

Ivis is survived by her husband, Alan Westheimer of Houston; son, Garth Phillips and wife Kit Morris of San Francisco, California; son, Gavin Rouleau and wife Crystal Rouleau of Colorado Springs, Colorado; son, Michael Westheimer and wife Diane Westheimer of San Francisco, California; and daughter Rachel Neave and husband James Neave of Houston.

A memorial service is to be conducted at half past twelve o'clock noon on Friday, the 23rd of August, at Congregation Beth Israel, 5600 N. Braeswood Blvd in Houston, where Rabbi Adrienne P. Scott, Senior Associate Rabbi is to officiate. Immediately following all are invited to greet the family for a meal of condolence in the Margolis Gallery.

Prior to the service the family will have gathered for a private interment at Beth Israel Memorial Gardens in Houston.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be directed to The Bayou Bend Annual Fund, 1001 Bissonnet, Houston, TX 77005 or to American Heart Association, 10060 Buffalo Speedway, Houston, TX 77054.

The family wishes to extend our sincere thanks to the doctors and nurses associated with Methodist Hospital, and the caregivers with Hearts at Home Senior Care.

Please visit Ivis’ online memorial tribute at GeoHLewis.com where memories and words of comfort and condolence may be shared electronically with her family.