Obituary of Elaine Dreyfus Lieber
Elaine (née Dreyfus) Lieber passed away at her home in Houston, Texas on November 29, 2024. She was the devoted and loving wife of Samuel L. Lieber, M.D., of Shreveport, Louisiana, and adored mother of Renée (Bob Kirby), Eve (Bob Harrell), and Emily (Jeff Gilman). Born on August 26, 1929, in New Orleans to Julie (née Buckman) Dreyfus and Max M. Dreyfus, she was the darling of her older brothers, Leonard and Seymour.
Elaine graduated from Newcomb College in 1950, completing her Bachelor’s degree (BFA) in piano. After winning a piano competition she performed as a soloist with the New Orleans Symphony under the baton of Massimo Freccia, playing Schumann’s Etudes Symphoniques, Op. 13. She had also played Cesar Franck’s Variations Symphoniques previously with the Symphony.
A lifelong devotee of music, in general, and especially opera, she listened to the Metropolitan Opera broadcast every Saturday with a well worn copy of Kobbe’s Opera Book at hand. She actively supported the arts while living in Shreveport and inculcated a deep appreciation for them in her daughters. Elaine was self-taught in many areas and acquired a depth of knowledge in architecture, design, sewing, weaving, bromeliad and orchid raising, cooking and entertaining.
Elaine volunteered on many commitees as a wife in the medical community and was on the board at the Shreveport Mental Health Center. At B’nai Zion Temple she acted as a youth group counselor for several years and at Southfield School she chaired the annual book fair for several years. She was a founding member of the Craft Alliance where she developed and refined her weaving skills from clothing to large wall hangings, studying with fiber artist Grau Garriga. Her friendships were among a broad swath of people in Shreveport, as well as her extended family and friends from New Orleans and Livonia, Louisiana.
We are so grateful to have had her in our lives, not only as a caring and patient mother but also as the joyful grandmother of six: Julie Istrin (Joshua J. Istrin), David Husid, Sarah Gilman (Martin D. Pinnes), Katie Gilman, Rob Harrell and Caroline Harrell. She was also “tickled pink” by five great-grandchildren: Juniper, Jake and Jade Istrin, and Jane and Sammy Pinnes.
She will be remembered by all her breathtaking beauty, her incredible taste as exemplified by her lovely and unique home, her generosity in hosting family and friends, her vivacity and vibrancy, all of which we hope to emulate and carry on. We know that she is at peace because she will remain in our hearts.
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