Rosalyn Rosenthal, whose generosity was felt across Fort Worth, dies
Rosalyn Gross Rosenthal, whose generosity touched many facets of Fort Worth, from the arts to her synagogue, died at her home on Wednesday. She was 99.
Rosalyn Rosenthal was affectionately known as Roz, and she and her husband were known for their generosity even when the family had little money, said her son, Billy.
Rosenthal described his mother as always being there for her family, and she also sought out opportunities to give back to the community.
“She was the best. She was a wonderful lady who taught us right from wrong,” Billy Rosenthal said.
Billy’s wife, Rozanne, said she and her mother-in-law were close.
“I just called her mom. I was just like her daughter. We were just very, very close,” she said.
Rosenthal recalled accompanying her mother-in-law to the symphony and to yoga.
“She was like the grande dame. Everyone walked over to see Roz,” she said.
Billy Rosenthal said his mother did not shy away from taking on difficult tasks, as he recalled how she stepped in to help the family business, Standard Meat Company, when it faced financial difficulties. She spent 25 years working there.
Rosenthal was active in the community, where her many contributions included underwriting the neonatal unit at Cook Children’s Medical Center and ensuring construction of the new temple for Beth-El Congregation.
Other gifts to the community included the endowed clarinet chair at the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, the Rosenthal Dome at Bass Performance Hall and significant contributions to the Jewish Federation of Fort Worth and Tarrant County. Roz and her husband also endowed the chair of Jewish studies at Brite Divinity School at TCU.
In 1987, the Rosenthals donated funds for the first endowed chair for research and education in meat sciences at Texas A&M University, and a West Campus building was renamed the E.M. “Manny” Rosenthal Meat Sciences and Technology Center, also in 1987.
Rosenthal was born Sept. 18, 1924, in Trenton, New Jersey. She met her husband E.M. “Manny” Rosenthal during World War II, and they married and settled in Fort Worth.
After her husband’s death in 2001, Rosenthal continued her dedication to charity and philanthropy, serving on many boards, including Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, The Cliburn and the Fort Worth Opera. Her dedication to community service was recognized through numerous accolades, including being honored as a Great Woman of Texas.
Billy Rosenthal said his mother was the matriarch of the family and also of the Jewish community in Fort Worth.
Ralph Mecklenburger, rabbi emeritus of Congregation Beth-El, said Roz Rosenthal’s contributions to the community were immeasurable.
“She was extremely generous. She was one of those people who had the gift of gab and never met a person who she didn’t like,” he said.
Mecklenburger is officiating at the Rosenthal’s funeral service, which was scheduled for Friday morning.
“You wish she would have gone on for ever. We are going to have a celebration of her life instead of a day of mourning,” he said.
Survivors include a daughter and son-in-law, Marcia and John Mike Cohen; a son and daughter-in-law, Billy and Rozanne Rosenthal; grandchildren Erin Cohen, Chloe Cohen, Ashli and Todd Blumenfeld, Madolin and Ben Rosenthal and Dr. Madelyn Rosenthal; and her great-grandchildren, Ely and Myles Uettwiller, Elanor and Will Blumenfeld, and Hank, George, and Robbie Rosenthal.
