Joanne Blumenthal

Joanne Dorothy Roberts Blumenthal, age 84, died on Monday, October 5, 2015, in Houston, Texas.   She was born in New York City and lived in several places on the East Coast before ending up in Texas for the last 45 years.She studied accounting at Syracuse University for two years but instead of finishing her degree, as she told the story, she married Leonard Jack Blumenthal and they had a happy marriage for 57 years.  After they moved to Houston, she used her accounting skills in positions at Westwood Country Club, the Jewish Community Center, and Temple Emanu El, where she was also a member.   As a result of her position with these Jewish institutions she came in contact with many of the Jewish families in Houston and she seemed to know everyone.In 1990, she and her husband moved to Sun City, Georgetown and they both became active in the newly-formed Havurah Shalom, then with about 15 members and now grown to over 300 members.   She stayed busy with a variety of activities in Sun City including three mahjong games a week with different groups of people.   She was always happy when she would win a dollar or two.  Her tomboy childhood grew into a love of watching sports—golf, tennis, football—and she followed the careers of every college football star.   Recently she mused whether some of her physical ailments later in life were due to the time she “slid into second” during a softball game as a child.She was at peace, having had wonderful parents, a happy marriage, and wonderful children and grandchildren.  She was always a quietly amazing person and everyone enjoyed her company and sense of humor and benefited from her strength, support and love.She was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Jack Blumenthal and her parents, Irving and Jennie Roberts.  She is survived by her children; Lee and Linda Blumenthal, Cathy and Tom Campbell and John and Pam Blumenthal. She was blessed with seven grandchildren; Mike, Sheri, Stephanie, Andy, Daniel, Michelle and Kegan and doubly blessed with her first great-grandchild, Reagan.Graveside services will be held Wednesday, October 7, 2015, 2:30 pm at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77074 with Rabbi Oren Hayon, Rabbi Roy A. Walter and Cantor Mark Perman officiating.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to The American Cancer Society (cancer.org) or Havurah Shalom 1530 Sun City Blvd. PMB 406, Georgetown, TX 78633Watch the video of the Funeral / Memorial Service here.