Elaine Katz

Elaine Katz, beloved daughter, sister, aunt and wife died peacefully in the company of her twin sister 
and eldest niece at the age of 88 on Saturday, March 28, 2026.
Elaine was born in 1937 in Chicago, IL to Yale Katz and Freda (Rosenbloom) Katz. She graduated 
from the University of Chicago with a degree in Education in 1958 and taught elementary school for 
several years. In 1964, she began a 22-year career as an editor for publishing companies such as 
Addison-Wesley, Field Educational Publications, and Janus Book Publishing. After leaving publishing, 
Elaine studied Psychology at the New College of California and later earned a Paralegal Certificate at 
Saint Mary’s College. She ended her working career as a Paralegal in Oakland, California during the 
1990’s.
In 1976, Elaine married Charles E. Ford, Jr. Over the next 45 years, Elaine and Charles shared their 
lives, including the joys and tribulations of cat parenthood and adventurous travel, until Charles’ death 
in 2021. Particularly memorable trips together included Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria, Greece, and the 
United Kingdom. Elaine was a cat lover par excellence, delighting in the beauty and companionship of 
her Burmese purebreds Carob, Mocha, Choklat, Ruddigore, Truffle and Bluepurr for over 47 years. 
However, it was Thumpurr, her shelter cat with a gimpy leg, whom she recalled most fondly.
A devoted daughter, Elaine traveled to Israel with her mother, Freda, so that Freda could reunite with 
her sister, Sonia, whom she had not seen in over 60 years. When Freda became blind, Elaine was her
primary caretaker and later her steadfast nursing home visitor and advocate. After Freda’s passing, 
Elaine volunteered as a reader for the blind in her mother’s memory. As a retiree in Davis, California, 
Elaine found meaningful work and close friendships through volunteering with the Out a Sight Group 
of Woodland, a support group founded by and for blind and low vision persons.
Elaine was preceded in death by her parents, Yale and Freda, her husband, Charles, and her brother, 
Jerome Michael Katz. She is survived by her twin sister, Lorraine Foster, her nieces and nephews 
Tilden and Leah Katz and Kira, Megan, Naissa and Seth Foster, and her seven grand nieces and 
nephews Toby, Liam, Noah, Kaia, Benjamin, Jackson, and Ruby

In lieu of flowers, donations in Elaine’s memory may be made to any of the following:
*Your favorite local cat rescue group

*Oakland SPCA  (https://eastbayspca.org/how-to-help/ways-to-give/make-a-tribute-gift)

*Guide Dogs for the Blind  (https://donate.guidedogs.com/for/main2/info/IBGYN251)

*Out a Sight Group, Inc. (by check to Out a Sight Group, 131 Hayes Street, Woodland, CA 95695)

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