Maris "Mitzi" Kay Bootzin's Obituary
Maris (Mitzi) Kay Bootzin nee Pittelman, 74, passed away peacefully with her daughters at her side at the Harbor at Lakeway in Austin, Texas, on August 17, 2015. She lost her short battle with neuroendocrine cancer after having survived breast cancer several years ago. She was preceded in death by her parents Frema Taxey Pittelman and Harry Pittelman, and by her husband of 55 years, Dr. Richard Bootzin, an internationally known expert in the treatment of insomnia.
She is survived by her daughters Deborah (Michael) Daniels and Lainey (Todd) Melnick; grandchildren Jennifer (Emily Lake) Daniels, Melissa (Steven) Gruender, Alexandra (Travis) Horne, Daniel Freeman, Skylar and Sydney Melnick; great grandsons Elijah and Judah Horne; brother Joel (Susan) Pittelman; brother-in-law Jerold (Judy) Bootzin; and sister-in-law Enid Bootzin Berkovits.
Maris Bootzin was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on May 26, 1941. She graduated from Whitefish Bay High School in Milwaukee where, in her senior year, in the absence of assigned faculty, she directed all theatre productions. She attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Early in her career, she was a part-time proofreader in West Lafayette, Indiana. When her husband Dick accepted a position at Northwestern University, she joined the Pioneer Press newspapers in suburban Chicago and became an editor and a movie reviewer for the paper. Maris continued her writing career in Tucson working as an independent author and editor, when Dick joined the faculty of the University of Arizona in 1987. Her writing legacy lives on with the recent publication of her book Mitzi Bootzin's Sneak Previews 1973-1977.
With a lifetime devoted to volunteer service, she spent the past 10 years fighting childhood hunger through the organization Snack Pack, which served over 235 Tucson families every week over the last school year. Her compassion and devotion to her family and to her community inspired all who knew her.
Cantor Cohen will officiate at the funeral, which will be held at the Chapel at Evergreen Mortuary in Tucson, Arizona, at 10:00 am on Friday, August 21, 2015. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Snack Pack (c/o St. Francis in the Foothills United Methodist Church, attn: Snack Pack, 4625 E. River Road, Tucson, AZ 85718.) or to the charity of your choice would be appreciated.
What’s your fondest memory of Maris "Mitzi"?
What’s a lesson you learned from Maris "Mitzi"?
Share a story where Maris "Mitzi"'s kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Maris "Mitzi" you’ll never forget.
How did Maris "Mitzi" make you smile?
