This document provides an obituary for Anita Berkowitz, who taught at Southeast High School in Kansas City for over 20 years until her retirement. She was 104 years old and passed away on March 23, 2012. The obituary details her educational background, career teaching English to immigrants, extensive world travels, volunteer work, and family.

1. Southeast High SchoolSoutheast High School
Class of 1962Class of 1962
Remembering Faculty and StaffRemembering Faculty and Staff
Anita BerkowitzAnita Berkowitz

2. Notes on Faculty and Staff ofNotes on Faculty and Staff of
Southeast High SchoolSoutheast High School
This is an experimental effort. In this space willThis is an experimental effort. In this space will
appear information about the faculty and staffappear information about the faculty and staff
who were at Southeast High School in 1962.who were at Southeast High School in 1962.
The content may be biographical or anecdotalThe content may be biographical or anecdotal
concerning our beloved faculty and staff. If youconcerning our beloved faculty and staff. If you
have interesting information about or a photo ofhave interesting information about or a photo of
a favorite faculty or staff member before, during,a favorite faculty or staff member before, during,
or after his or her years at Southeast and wish toor after his or her years at Southeast and wish to
share it, please forward to me and I will post itshare it, please forward to me and I will post it
here.here.

3. Anita BerkowitzAnita Berkowitz
Anita B. Berkowitz, 104, passed away on Friday, March 23, 2012, at VillageAnita B. Berkowitz, 104, passed away on Friday, March 23, 2012, at Village
Shalom. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, March 28,, at AdathShalom. Graveside services were held on Tuesday, March 28,, at Adath
Joseph Cemetery in St. Joseph, Mo. A memorial service was to be heldJoseph Cemetery in St. Joseph, Mo. A memorial service was to be held
Wednesday, March 29, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah,Wednesday, March 29, at The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah,
followed by a reception. The family suggests contributions to The Temple,followed by a reception. The family suggests contributions to The Temple,
Congregation B’nai Jehudah Rabbis’ Discretionary Fund and/or BrandeisCongregation B’nai Jehudah Rabbis’ Discretionary Fund and/or Brandeis
University Library Fund. Anita was born on Thursday, Sept. 12, 1907, toUniversity Library Fund. Anita was born on Thursday, Sept. 12, 1907, to
Charles Coleman and Ruth Esther Brady of St. Joseph. She attended theCharles Coleman and Ruth Esther Brady of St. Joseph. She attended the
University of Illinois-Champaign where she received her Bachelor of ArtsUniversity of Illinois-Champaign where she received her Bachelor of Arts
and Master of Arts degrees. She met Abraham Berkowitz at Hillel’s firstand Master of Arts degrees. She met Abraham Berkowitz at Hillel’s first
house at the university and they were married on March 29, 1931. Abrahamhouse at the university and they were married on March 29, 1931. Abraham
preceded Anita in death in 1961. Abraham and Anita lived in Mattoon, Ill.,preceded Anita in death in 1961. Abraham and Anita lived in Mattoon, Ill.,
where they raised their two sons and Anita gave her energies andwhere they raised their two sons and Anita gave her energies and
volunteered as president of the Central Illinois Council of B’nai B’rithvolunteered as president of the Central Illinois Council of B’nai B’rith
Women and helped establish the Mattoon Chapter. She was on the boardWomen and helped establish the Mattoon Chapter. She was on the board
of the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, regional board member ofof the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith, regional board member of
American Association of University Women and actively engaged in countyAmerican Association of University Women and actively engaged in county
and statewide Democratic Women’s Clubs. She and Abraham moved toand statewide Democratic Women’s Clubs. She and Abraham moved to
Kansas City, Mo., in 1958. Anita taught at Southeast High in the KansasKansas City, Mo., in 1958. Anita taught at Southeast High in the Kansas
City Public School District for more than 20 years until she retired. ACity Public School District for more than 20 years until she retired. A
generous volunteer, Anita tutored in her home for 13 years, teachinggenerous volunteer, Anita tutored in her home for 13 years, teaching

4. English to Vietnamese, Spanish and Russian immigrants. Anita was an earlyEnglish to Vietnamese, Spanish and Russian immigrants. Anita was an early
worldwide traveler and photographer, having visited more than 60 countries on everyworldwide traveler and photographer, having visited more than 60 countries on every
continent except Antarctica. She felt that through her travels, the knowledge andcontinent except Antarctica. She felt that through her travels, the knowledge and
experiences she gained were invaluable to her and her students. She volunteered atexperiences she gained were invaluable to her and her students. She volunteered at
The Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery, Brandeis University Annual Book Sale, The Temple,The Nelson-Atkins Art Gallery, Brandeis University Annual Book Sale, The Temple,
Congregation B’nai Jehudah and its Sisterhood. Anita was a life member of BrandeisCongregation B’nai Jehudah and its Sisterhood. Anita was a life member of Brandeis
University National Women’s Committee and a benefactor of Brandeis Libraries, a lifeUniversity National Women’s Committee and a benefactor of Brandeis Libraries, a life
and honorary member of the American Association of University Women, Nationaland honorary member of the American Association of University Women, National
Council of Jewish Women and Hadassah, and a member of Friends of the Library ofCouncil of Jewish Women and Hadassah, and a member of Friends of the Library of
UMKC, Truman Medical Auxiliary, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, The Nelson-UMKC, Truman Medical Auxiliary, Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy, The Nelson-
Atkins Museum, Nelson Museum Friends of Art and Heart of America ShakespeareAtkins Museum, Nelson Museum Friends of Art and Heart of America Shakespeare
Festival. Anita was a superb cook and receiver of culinary prizes in nationalFestival. Anita was a superb cook and receiver of culinary prizes in national
publications. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Nathaniel C.publications. Survivors include two sons and a daughter-in-law, Nathaniel C.
Berkowitz and wife Myra of Sausalito, Calif., and Edward H. Berkowitz, Ph.D, of PaloBerkowitz and wife Myra of Sausalito, Calif., and Edward H. Berkowitz, Ph.D, of Palo
Alto, Calif.; her sister, Gertrude B. Kaufman of Silver Spring, Md.; four grandchildren,Alto, Calif.; her sister, Gertrude B. Kaufman of Silver Spring, Md.; four grandchildren,
Ethan Berkowitz of Anchorage, Alaska, Zachary Berkowitz of San Francisco, RuthEthan Berkowitz of Anchorage, Alaska, Zachary Berkowitz of San Francisco, Ruth
Berkowitz of Hood River, Ore., and Michael Berkowitz of Portland, Maine; and sevenBerkowitz of Hood River, Ore., and Michael Berkowitz of Portland, Maine; and seven
great-grandchildren.great-grandchildren.
Published inPublished in The Kansas City Jewish ChronicleThe Kansas City Jewish Chronicle, March 29, 2012., March 29, 2012.