Margot (Baum) Katz

Margot Katz passed away on July 4 at the impressive age of 99. She was born on April 27, 1921 to Hedwig Stern and Max Baum. Margot’s mother ensured her beloved daughter’s safety in burgeoning Nazi Germany by enlisting the help of friends to bring her from her home of Frankfurt am Main to the United States. She was only 16 years old when she arrived in Chicago, with only clothes and about $10 to her name. However, as both her children and grandchildren will tell you, Margot was never one to back down. After high school, she moved to Kansas City to be with relatives on her mother’s side, who helped her get a job in an office while she took a business course.

On a trip to Columbus to visit a childhood friend, Margot met her future husband, Harry Katz. A whirlwind romance, they were introduced in June and married by September. They had two daughters, and one of Margot’s greatest joys was her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She loved sharing their successes, no matter how big or small, with anyone and everyone.

After caring for her husband, Margot became a regular at the JCC senior lunches, where she enjoyed chatting and walking the track with both new and old friends. Margot will be remembered by her friends and family as a sharp mahjong player, outgoing Beth-El Zedeck gift shop volunteer, and an avid walker known by all of her neighbors, whom she would greet on her evening walks with a friendly wave.

Margot is survived by her two daughters, Barrie (Gary) Fisch and Wendy (Jeffrey) Brown, and her grandchildren, Mark (Jordan) and Adam (Kate) Fisch and Jason and Megan Brown, and her four great grandchildren.

Margot is preceded in death by her loving husband of 56 years, Harry Katz and her much-loved grandson David Fisch.

Her family would like to thank the loving team at Traditions at North Willow who have cared for her for the past year and a half. The family requests that donations be made in Margot’s name to the JCC Indianapolis Senior Lunch Program,c/o Jewish Federation of Greater Indianapolis, 6705 Hoover Road, Indianapolis IN 46260 (www.jewishindianapolis.org/annual-campaign), to the Beautification Fund c/o Congregation Beth-El Zedeck or the Beth-El Zedeck Foundation (www.bez613.org)