Shirley Jean Katz Greenblum

Shirley Jean Katz Greenblum, age 92, passed away on October 27, 2023.  She lived her life lovingly, dedicated to her family and community.  Always with a kind word, everyone loved being in her presence.  

Shirley was preceded in death by her son Jeff Greenblum, her husband Isidoro Irving Greenblum, and her parents William and Minette Katz.  She is survived by: her sister Frances Sue Schneider; her brother-in-law Leo Greenblum; son Gary (Desiree Koome) and grandchildren Max, Hannah and Sunny; son Brad (Jennifer Frankfurt), granddaughter Aly (Brandon Phillips) and great-grandchildren Miller, Sophia and Juliette Phillips, and grandchildren Courtney (Michael Vernon), and Gavin; son Robbie and grandchildren Shoshana, Yael, and Ziva; grandson William (Jeff’s son); and “adopted” son Dr. Arie Salzman. 

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Shirley attended the University of Texas at Austin (UT), where she met the love of her life, Isidoro Irving Greenblum, whom she adoringly called Pancho. While at UT, she was a member of Delta Phi Epsilon, a Jewish sorority. Shirley and Pancho married on June 30, 1950, in Dallas, Texas, where Jeff, Gary and Brad were born.  In 1960, the family moved to Laredo, Texas, where Robbie was born and all four boys were raised.

Shirley was a natural fit for Laredo’s warm community and pace of life.  She was a kind and caring person, which expressed itself in so many ways, including life-long friendships from her childhood in Dallas, days as a student at UT, and nearly 50 years in Laredo.  Her friends and her children’s friends adored her.  Shirley knew how to run a warm and nurturing home, despite the chaos of raising four active boys.  So, it was an almost everyday occurrence, that after baseball practice down the street, basketball in the backyard, or some other gathering, the boys and their friends would hang out at the Greenblum home for a meal and refreshments.  Shirley also devoted herself as a passionate volunteer and board member to the Laredo Art League, Laredo Symphony, Congregation Agudas Achim Women’s Auxiliary, Laredo Children’s Museum, and the Laredo Area Foundation. 

Funeral services will be conducted graveside at the Jewish Rest section of the Laredo City Cemetery, 3601 N. Meadow Ave on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Noon. 

Pallbearers will be: Gavin Greenblum, Max Greenblum, Peter Greenblum, Richard Greenblum, Brandon Phillips, Dr. Arie Salzman, and Michael Vernon. 

The Greenblum family is incredibly grateful to Candice Stoner and Gaby Montemayor with Belmont Village memory care, Lisa Tatom with Magnolia Hospice, and caregiver Sofia Rodriguez and her team for their dedication and support. 

Please make any contributions in honor of Shirley Greenblum to the Laredo Area Community Foundation or to Congregation Agudas Achim, PO Box 450502, Laredo, TX 78045.  You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, and sign the guestbook online at:  https://www.hillsidefuneral.com/