Rena Defez
Lifelong Denver art educator Rena Defez passed away on February 28, 2023, at the age of 86. A service was held at Mt. Nebo Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Sarah Shulman. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Mrs. Defez taught art at Cottonwood Elementary for over 25 years. She also received the Anita Fricklas Award in 2009 for the most significant contribution to education at Temple Sinai.
A native of New York, Mrs. Defez attended Chicago Teachers College and received double masters’ degrees at UNC.
In February, 1958, Rena and Jack Defez were married in Chicago. They were a couple for 65 years until Mrs. Defez’s passing.
“She will be remembered for her charisma, her care, her playfulness, her humor and for the unique connections she made for those around her,” Mrs. Defez’s family said.
The family also lovingly added: “She could also be a pain.”
Survivors are Mrs. Defez’s husband Jack; children Lauren (Tracy Grossman), Tamar Morgan and Jonathan (Nancy Weinstock) Defez; grandchildren Austin (Audrey) Sutton, Rebecca (Ryan) Watters, Zachary Defez, Jonah Defez and Adin Defez; and great grandchildren Lucy Watters, Jack Sutton, Theodore Watters, Clark Watters and Lily Sutton.
Contributions may be made to Lambs Farm of Green Oaks, Ill.
Dr. David Kazzaz
Centenarian Dr. David Kazzaz died on March 14, 2023, shortly after his 100th birthday.
A service was held on March 16, 2023, at Congregation Rodef Shalom, followed by internment at Mount Nebo Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Rachel Kobrin. Feldman Mortuary made the arrangements.
Dr. Kazzaz was born in Baghdad, Iraq, on March 1, 1923. His great-grandfather was the chief rabbi of Baghdad. Dr. Kazzaz attended American University in Beirut, Lebanon, and began his career in internal medicine. He then left Beirut for Israel, where he married his wife Louise in November, 1950.
Shortly after, the couple arrived in Denver, where Dr. Kazzaz began his practice in psychiatry.
Mrs. Kazzaz passed away in May, 2012.
Said son Jerry Kazzas: “My father loved his family, traditions, Jewish holidays, Shabbats, movies and music. What made him special is how he dreamed big and how folks who came into contact with him became attached to him.”
Survivors are sons Daniel (Dr. Audrey Corson) Kazzaz, Amos (Colleen) Kazzaz, Jeffrey (Susan Weil) Kazzaz and Jerry Kazzaz; grandchildren Talya Kazzaz, Shira Kazzaz, Ariana Kazzaz, Rebecca Kazzaz-Elhassid, Jeremy Kazzaz, Zachary Kazzaz, Zoe Kazzaz-Jarmon and Sarah Kazzaz; and great grandchildren Eitan Elhassid, Karen Elhassid, Sophie Elhassid, Abraham Alkaraki and Gabriella Alkaraki.
Contributions may be made to Rodef Shalom or The Denver Hospice.
Aileen Marcus
Denver native Aileen Marcus died on February 4, 2023. She was 98. A service was held on February 7, 2023 at Mount Nebo Cemetery, officiated by Rabbi Yaakov Chaitkovsky. Feldman Mortuary handled the arrangements.
Mrs. Marcus grew up on Denver’s West Side. She graduated from East High School in 1941.
Majoring in accounting at CU, Mrs. Marcus was a member of the school’s honorary accounting fraternity, Beta Gamma Sigma, which at the time had very few women members. She graduated from CU in 1945.
Five years later she married Marvin Marcus. They were married 63 years before Mr. Marcus’ passing in 2013.
“She was kind, highly intelligent and cared deeply for her family and friends,” her family said. “She demonstrated strength, character and love throughout her life.”
Survivors are sons Fred (Rosemary) Marcus and Jeff Marcus.
“She was the matriarch of a much larger family of cousins, nieces and nephews who all truly loved her,” her family said.
Copyright © 2023 by the Intermountain Jewish News
