Brenda Nasser

Brenda Kay Nasser, 75, passed away on Saturday, June 27, 2015 after a hard fought battle with cancer. She is preceded in death by her parents, Ada Ruth and John D. Martin and her sister, Patricia Howard. Brenda is survived by daughter, Heidi Ruth and husband Jerry Miller of Houston, by daughter, Heather Sara and husband Jim Uncapher, three grandchildren, Moriah, Jesse and Dalton, all of Pennsylvania; Charlene Lehde of Houston, and two cats, Lincoln and Tango.Brenda was born in Johnstown, PA in 1939 and there began a career in politics, working first for Governor Milton Schapp, and segueing into a decade as assistant to a federal district judge. It was an entire life in itself and had she written her memoirs of that time, it would undoubtedly be a best seller.In 1980, during the first oil boom, Brenda moved to Houston, Texas and began what for most people would be a second life altogether. She worked at Tenneco for several years and then moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida; where she was the assistant to the senior rabbi of a local Temple. When she decided to move back to Houston, she interviewed at Congregation Emanu El and was chosen as assistant to Rabbi Roy Walter, a position she held for over 20 years. Brenda loved working at Emanu El and was, in turn, loved back by all who met her. She truly considered the clergy, congregants, and employees of Emanu El as her family.Brenda had an enormous and generous heart both emotionally and financially. She never hesitated to help someone in need whenever possible. Her purpose in life truly was to be of help to others. When she wasn’t helping people, she had numerous animal causes to which she contributed. Brenda was a lifelong cat lover and mothered many rescued cats over the years, a passion she passed on to her daughter, Heidi.The family would like to thank the Village of Meyerland and particularly, Renee, Mary, Nikita and Alajandra; for their sincere care and love during Brenda’s illness. It would have been a cold and lonely road without them.In honor of and in tribute to Brenda, a Memorial Service will be held at 4:30 pm, Tuesday, July 7, 2015 in the Proler Chapel at Congregation Emanu El, 1500 Sunset Blvd., Houston, 77005. Rabbi Roy A. Walter will officiate.To honor Brenda and her two decades plus involvement at Emanu El, please donate to either the Rabbi Roy A. Walter Legacy Fund for spiritual and cultural enrichment or the Rabbi’s Good Works Fund providing discretionary funds for use by the Emanu El Rabbis. (emanuelhouston.org)Watch the video of the Funeral / Memorial Service here.