October 7, 1920—June 25, 2012
Harriet Ruth (Shafer) Katz, 91, of Bellevue, WA passed away on June 23, 2012. Her funeral and burial took place at Herzl Memorial Park on June 25, 2012.
Harriet was born on October 7, 1920, the oldest of five children. Her parents, Julius and Rebecca (Betty) Shafer, were among Seattle’s early Jewish leaders and business pioneers. At the age of 16, Harriet graduated from Broadway High School, and at the age of 20 graduated from the University of Washington, where she met Archie Katz. They were married for 51 years, sharing a dynamic life together of community activism, travel, and joyful celebrations with friends and their large, extended family. Harriet contributed her wisdom, creativity and leadership skills to numerous organizations. She was president of the local and western regional chapters of The National Federation of Temple Sisterhoods (Women of Reform Judaism), and was very active with the Women’s Division of Jewish Federation, B’nai B’rith Women, and Girl Scouts of Western Washington, of which she was a member for over 55 years. She was a life-long learner and voracious reader. Up until the last months of her life, she took classes and did online research to nourish her curiosity about topics ranging from geology, biology, and botany, to politics, current events, Native American culture, and ancient religions.
As the matriarch of a large family, she devoted her life to her four children, six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She took great pride in their accomplishments and educational achievements, never missing a graduation whenever and wherever it was held, from kindergarten to Ph.D. ceremonies. We will miss her generosity of spirit, her peace-making ways, her warm smile, her concern for others, her humility, dignity, grace and style.
Harriet was preceded in death by her husband, Archie Katz, and her siblings Norton Shafer, Gloria Zacks and Sylvia Oseran. Her legacy lives on in the hearts and lives of her children Malcolm Katz and Martha Baker (London, England), Bonnie (Katz) Tenenbaum and Marty Tenenbaum (Portola Valley, CA), Joanne Katz Glosser and Larry Glosser (Issaquah), Steve Katz and Lynn Fainsilber Katz (Seattle), as well as her grandchildren Tamar and Allan Boden, Josh Tenenbaum and Mira Bernstein, Russ and Mindy Katz, Ilana and Jeff Wodlinger, Ryan Katz and Adina Katz, and her great-grandchildren Abi, Hannah, Jesse, Alyssa, Will and Isaac. She is survived by her beloved sister Elise (Shafer) Topp and numerous nieces and nephews.
If you wish to make a donation in memory of Harriet, her favorite charities include The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Washington Chapter, The Jewish Day School of Metropolitan Seattle, Girl Scouts of Western Washington, or a charity of your choice.
May Harriet’s life continue to be a blessing and an inspiration to all who had the privilege and pleasure of knowing her.
Harriet (Shafer) Katz
