Dora Adler Horwitz, born on February 10, 1917, passed away on April 25, 2009 at the age of 92.
Dora was a lifelong resident of Beaumont, Texas, where she and her family worked together to build Adler’s of Beaumont, a landmark downtown clothing retailer. Her optimistic spark and notorious ability to expertly fit a wide range of sizes generated an eager anticipation among customers who expected to purchase the “ideal” dress following a thorough search of Dora’s coveted Back Room. After the death of her beloved husband, Joseph Horwitz, and her loving parents Lillie and Morris Adler, she continued to work at Adler’s along with her brother, Ben Adler and her sister and brother-in-law Eva and Nathan Swerdlow, a successful career that spanned more than seventy-seven years.
Dora embodied extraordinary vitality, kindheartedness, professionalism, warmth and intellect. Her energy-packed, petite body and contagious smile illuminated each and every room as she entered, and her engaging personality and sharp mind enchanted everyone she encountered.
Dora embraced life and all of its pleasures. Always donning the highest of heels, she enjoyed dancing, cooking, exercising with her cousin and walking partner Ralph Night, spending quality time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and perhaps most of all, doing for others. Dora was relentless in her efforts to cook for ill friends and then ensure that they actually ate. Always willing and available when called upon, it was common practice for Dora to bake and sell twenty chocolate cakes, along with numerous deli trays, for her Temple’s Sisterhood Fundraiser. Her family and friends savored her many homemade recipes, which included numerous jars of fig preserves, pounds of horseradish and gefilte fish, baked strudel by the dozens, and her delightful homemade biscuits.
She was an active volunteer for United Jewish Appeal, Hadassah, Temple Emanuel Sisterhood in Beaumont, and the American Heart Association. She served as a trustee on many organizational Boards, and was recently honored by the Wellness Center -- where she enjoyed daily water aerobic and Pilates classes -- for her charter membership.
A devoted wife, loving mother and adoring grandmother and great-grandmother to her eleven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren, Dora habitually traveled to Houston, Austin and San Francisco so as not to miss birthdays, milestones, holidays and special occasions.
Her husband, Joseph Horwitz; parents, Lillie and Morris Adler; brother, Ben Adler; sister, Eva Swerdlow; and nephew, Dr. Robert Swerdlow, preceded her in death.
Survivors include her children, Dr. William Kenneth Horwitz, Annette and Larry Sondock, and Barbara Horwitz; grandchildren, Treva and Jeff Horwitz, Missy and Scott Horwitz, Valerie Horwitz, Elisha and Larry Selzer, Tara and Steven Sondock and Jennifer and Mark Sondock; great-grandchildren, Aiden Horwitz, Sara Horwitz, Joshua Horwitz, Erika Selzer, Lindsey Selzer, Joe Sondock, Gabe Sondock, Elizabeth Sondock and Sam Sondock; brother-in-law, Nathan Swerdlow; nephews and nieces, Sherry and Paul Horwitz, Karen Horwitz, Kathryn Oppenheimer, Marlene Swerdlow and Matthew Swerdlow; dear cousins Judy and Ralph Night, Janet and Jay Finegold; long-time friend and companion, Manny Pierce of Dallas; Maria Butler, her children and grandchildren; and her dear friend, Bessy Johnson of Beaumont.
Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m., Monday, April 27, at Temple Emanuel, 1120 Broadway Street, Beaumont, Texas; (409) 832-6131, with burial to follow at Kol Israel Cemetery, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin. A shiva minyan will be 6:00 p.m., Monday, April 27, 2009 at Temple Emanuel. Additional shiva minyans will be at Beth Yeshurun Congregation, 4525 Beechnut Street, in Houston at 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29 and at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 30.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Hadassah, c/o Houston Hadassah Chapter, 4654 Beechnut Street, Houston, Texas 77096; American Heart Association, 7272 Greenville Avenue, Dallas, Texas 75231; Temple Emanuel, 1120 Broadway Street, Beaumont, Texas 77701; or the charity of your choice.
