Obituaries

We mourn the passing of Catalina Pelc (nee Lewin), our mother, known to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren as “Bube”, and a long-time resident of Milwaukee at the age 96 in Palo Alto, CA, on October 24th, 2020.

Catalina was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina on April 16,1924. She married Leon Pelc in 1943 and soon after started a family. In 1964, along with her immediate family, she emigrated to the US and settled in Milwaukee. Having learned her tailoring skills from her father, Catalina held tailor and seamstress positions at a number of clothing stores and alteration shops in Milwaukee until she lost her eyesight due to macular degeneration. Her favorite activities were to be with family, celebrate every birthday and life cycle event, entertain with abundant and lovingly prepared meals at home and to share her pride and love for her beautiful grandchildren and great-grandchildren. More recently, she moved to a senior living facility in Palo Alto, CA.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leib and Shoshka Lewin of Buenos Aires; her husband of 62 years; Leon Pelc of Milwaukee, WI; her brothers, Samuel and Adolfo Lewin of Buenos Aires; and her sister, Berta “Blume” Eidelsztein of Moshav Kohav Michael, Israel; and all her brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law making her the last of her generation in her family. She was also preceded in death by great-grandson, Jacob Edber.

She is survived by her four sons, Rafael Pelc (Joanne) of Austin, TX, Abraham “Avi” Pelc (Linda) of Bartlett, TN, Claudio Pelc (Sheryl) of Mequon, WI, and Dr. Norbert Pelc (Dr. Lorie) of Los Altos, CA; her grandchildren, Rachel Pelc (Jason Li) of Santa Barbara, CA, Dr. Robin Pelc (Dr. Gerick Bergsma) of Pacific Grove, CA, Atty. Daniel Pelc (Rachel) of Plymouth, MN, Aaron Pelc (Jenny) of Bartlett, TN, Brian Pelc (Melanie) of Tallahassee, FL, Rabbi Julie Pelc Adler (Rabbi Amitai) of Evanston, IL, Sari Edber (Atty. Daniel) of Encino, CA, Dr. Ellie Pelc of San Francisco, CA, Dr. Jason Pelc (Atty. Shirley Li) of Sunnyvale, CA, and Emily Jasinsky (Ryan) of Campbell, CA; and 16 great-grandchildren.  She is also survived by her special nephew, Dr. Ruben Lewin (Silvia) of River Hills, WI, who she considered like one of her sons, Ruben and Silvia’s 3 children and 7 grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family members in the US, Israel and Argentina.

Special thanks are due to her caregivers, Amelia Mapa, Claudia Gonzalez and Siulolo Stevenson, as well as the entire staff at Moldaw Residences in Palo Alto, CA., where Catalina resided for the past 8 years.

Private graveside services were held at Agudas Achim Cemetery, Cudahy officiated by Catalina’s grandchildren, Rabbi Julie Pelc Adler and Rabbi Amitai Adler.   Due to COVID-19, Shiva will be via zoom.  Those wishing to participate in the zoom shiva should click the Service Info tab for date, time and link. In lieu of flowers, donations to a Jewish charity of your choice appreciated.

Goodman-Bensman Whitefish Bay Funeral Home
4750 North Santa Monica Boulevard     (414) 964-3111