Jewish Herald-Voice (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 103, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 26, 2012 Page: 20 of 24
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Page 20
Jewish Herald-Voice
January 26, 2012
Obituaries
MARY HELEN HOPSON BERMANN
Mary Helen Hopson Bermann left this earth on Monday,
Jan. 16, 2012, after a two-and-a-half year battle with liver
cancer. Mary Helen was a fighter, with a gleam in her
eye and a fire in her heart. She was born on Aug. 15,
1944 in Beaumont, Texas, the youngest daughter of the
Hopson’s. Growing up in Beaumont, she knew that her
calling eventually would be to move to the metropolitan city
of Houston. Although she had a humble upbringing, in a close
family atmosphere, she had an ambition to see the world, and
90 miles to the southeast was a good start.
Beaumont is not a large city, but the families there are
extremely close. If a loved one was very sick or in the hospital, they would spend the
night with that person, because something deep inside told them to. Family values
and respect were the foundation around what her life was structured. As a beautiful,
athletic, blue-eyed blond, she had no trouble impressing young men through high
school. She was fortunate to have an endearing mother, Josephine, who wasn’t much
of a talker, but managed to get her point across when Mary Helen needed direction.
Mary Helen also had a special relationship with her older sister, Laverne, whom
she loved dearly. Because of the 10-year difference in age, Laverne was able to guide
Mary Helen over the rough adolescent years and keep her from making the mistakes
she might have made. There was an extra special bond between Mary Helen and her
only sister, a relationship that lasted throughout their lives.
Mary Helen moved to Houston after high school. She lived and worked there for
several years before meeting her husband, Mark, at a party. He was so taken with her
beauty and natural charm that he went over to her apartment the next day, because
he wanted to talk with her and know her better. It wasn’t long after that they started
dating and became engaged.
During this period, Mary Helen had been working as the executive secretary
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of Phillip Lucas, an independent oilman with roots back to the Lucas Gusher in
Beaumont. She managed his office and made sure that things were in order, just as
she would do later in life on a much grander scale in taking care of the Bermann
family.
Mark was just starting his wholesale wine distributorship, and things were
difficult, but Mary Helen supported him and allowed him to move in, actually
living off her. She even lent him her own car, so that one of his young salesmen
had transportation, since he had wrecked his own vehicle. Wouldn’t you know, the
salesman also wound up totaling her car, one that she had worked and saved so hard
to buy! Mary Helen always showed this generosity and gave whatever was necessary
to make things work.
Mark and Mary Helen were married on Dec. 29, 1974, in a Jewish ceremony. Mary
Helen had converted to Judaism in a demanding course given by Rabbi Roy Walter.
She wanted to make sure their children were fully recognized as being Jewish. She
found comfort in the religion and wanted to ensure that there would be no split in the
religious upbringing of the kids.
After a few months of marriage, Mary Helen felt brave enough to invite Mark’s
parents over for a dinner prepared by her in their new house. It was with great
trepidation that the invitation was made to Camille and Lisl Bermann. Since Mark’s
father, Camille Bermann, was the famous restaurateur/proprietor of the iconic
Houston restaurant, Maxim’s, this was going to be no easy feat. The meal came off
beautifully and timely. No chances were going to be taken on these celebrity guests.
Mary Helen soon developed her own fondness for cooking, by reading cookbooks
voraciously, attending cooking seminars and trying out recipes. The family always
looked forward to dining in each other’s company, and on many of those nights, Mary
Helen would teach daughters, Camille and Danielle, her own famous recipes and
cooking secrets.
Mary Helen’s enjoyment of cooking and dining led her to become more involved in
dining societies. She joined the Houston Chapter of the international gastronomical
society known as the Confrerie de la Chaine des Rotisseurs. The Houston Bailliage
was one of the largest in the United States and she rose to become president of the
local organization in 2002, serving three fabulous years as its Bailli and planning
some glorious dinners and events.
Over the years, Mary Helen was an adoring, caring, selfless mother who taught
her two daughters the respect, dedication and love she had grown up around in
her Beaumont family. As a wife, she was the pillar of strength to her husband, who
always sought her advice, counsel and affection. Her family and friends always will
remember her as a wonderful lady who loved to laugh, live life and love others.
Mary Helen is survived by her husband of 37 years, Mark Bermann; daughters,
Camille Ann and Danielle Lee Oviatt and her husband Chip Oviatt; her mother-in-law,
Lisl Bermann; brother-in-law, Ronnie Bermann, and his son, Ron; from the Beaumont
side of the family: by her three nephews, David Ainsworth, Bubba Ainsworth and his
daughter, Missy Prince, her husband, Tommy Prince and their two daughters, Brailey
and Brisais; and by Brian Ainsworth and his three sons, Dylan, Bryce and Wyatt.
The family is most appreciative of the treatment and care afforded her by the
physicians, assistants and staff both at the Texas Liver Center in Memorial Hermann
Hospital and the UT Physicians at the Health Science Center, in Houston. Their
attention, patience and devotion helped extend her time on Earth.
In remembrance, donations may be made in Mary Helen’s honor to the American
Cancer Society, PO. Box 570127, Houston, TX 77257. Please reference Mary Helen
Bermann’s name.
Services took place at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, in the Kagan-Rudy Chapel
at Emanu El Memorial Park, 8341 Bissonnet St.
- Houston Jewish Funerals
PAUL Z. BR0CHSTEIN
Paul Z. Brochstein, born Dec. 24, 1923, died Saturday,
Jan. 21, 2012. Paul was one of five children born to Max and
Mary Greenfield Brochstein in Houston. After graduating
from San Jacinto High School in 1941 and attending Rice
University, Paul enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps to serve in the
Pacific Theater during World War II. Following the war, Paul
returned stateside to complete his bachelor’s degree at The
University of Texas and then to receive his master’s degree
from the University of Houston in 1948.
He began Brochstein, Toomim & Co., an accounting
practice, with his friend, David Toomim, which later merged
into J.K. Lasser & Co. After retiring from the accounting
practice, he continued to embark on numerous business ventures, including
the purchase of Central National Bank and the formation of Enterprise Capital
Corporation, an SBIC. Enterprise Capital Corp. was instrumental in helping many
young businessmen obtain the “start” they needed in order to go on to very successful
enterprises.
Outside of his professional life, he also was an active member of the community,
serving as president of Westwood Country Club, as an assistant professor of
accounting at the University of Houston-Main Campus, on the boards of several local
businesses and a regular contributor to numerous charities.
Preceded in death by his siblings, Sadie Rosmarin, Gertrude Black and Harry
Brochstein. Paul is survived by his brother, I.H. Brochstein; his daughters, Fran
Brochstein of Houston and Melissa Brochstein Moore of Grapevine, Texas. His three
grandchildren, John Harris Moore, Adam Jacob Moore, Sarah Roxanne Zomper; one
great-grandchild, John Alexander Moore; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank the Gasser family and the staff of The Plantation
Personal Care Home for the loving care they have shown Paul over the last nine
years. Thanks to your love and care, we were able to enjoy his keen wit and sense of
humor for many additional years. We also would like to thank Barbara Bower of Care
Managers, Inc., who patiently and graciously has guided us during this long goodbye.
In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s
Association or the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism.
A graveside service was held Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2012, at Beth Yeshurun Cemetery
(Post Oak), officiated by Rabbi Steve Gross.
- Houston Jewish Funerals
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Samuels, Jeanne F. Jewish Herald-Voice (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 103, No. 45, Ed. 1 Thursday, January 26, 2012, newspaper, January 26, 2012; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth544192/m1/20/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .