Sylvia Brody Cohen
April 8, 1940–Jan. 9, 2026
Sylvia Brody Cohen, known to all as Grammy, died peacefully in her sleep at her home in Denver on Jan. 9, 2026. Born April 8, 1940, in Schlater, Mississippi, to Louis (“Papa Louie”) and Fannye Brody, Grammy was known for family, friends, food, open-mindedness, the importance of education and love. The yellow wall phone with the extra-long spiral cord in her home on Mendenhall in the ’70s was well used. She would talk for hours to friends and family while the cord allowed her to stretch all the way to the kitchen while cooking. Chopped liver, twice baked potatoes with cheddar cheese, tender matzoh ball soup (the best cure for anything), very rare prime rib and eggy bread (French toast) are just a few of the famous recipes we all enjoy. Not only was her food enjoyed by friends and family, but also by her dogs, whom she loved with the same vigor she had for family. From Buffy and Jeans to Shana, Princess and Ladybug, they were her special companions. She would see a super moon, a sunset or a beautiful bird and call to ask if we saw it too, because she wondered at the beauties of the world and saw miracles every day of her life.
Every family event, from bar/bat mitzvahs to weddings or funerals, she was there to smile, to support and to be a light to everyone around. Everyone remembers the “speeches” at Yom Kippur or Shabbat as she gushed over how special it was to be with her family. She and Malcolm never missed an opportunity to introduce their children to their friends and never saw a person at a restaurant that they didn’t say hello to and strike up a conversation with. That was what we call the Grammy vortex. We invite anyone who knows Sylvia to get on your long-corded, yellow phone to call up the many memories you may have to keep her soul alive forever.
In addition to her husband of 39 years, Malcolm, Sylvia leaves a strong family legacy through her brother Mel Brody; her children Brent Ladd (Eileen), Corey Ladd (Chris), Stacey Siegel (Johnny) and Candice Goldstein (Alan); her grandchildren Shannon Ladd (Elana), Ryan Ladd, Brody Ladd (Talia), Ariana Ladd, Lauren Seiss (Matt), Margot Siegel, Micah Goldstein, Daphna Goldstein and Koby Goldstein; and her great-grandchildren Noa and Micah Ladd and Savanna Seiss (honoring Sylvia).
There was nothing that made her happier than kissing and holding the hands of those beautiful babies the day before she passed. Having lived in Dallas for more than 60 years, Sylvia and Malcolm were longtime active members of Temple Emanu-El.
A celebration of Sylvia’s life was held Jan. 24, 2026, with Rabbi Emily Hyatt officiating. Please consider a donation in her memory to Temple Emanu-El Dallas, Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Mississippi, the Alzheimer’s Association or a charity of choice.
Linkie Seltzer
Nov. 22, 1925–Dec. 31, 2025
Linkie Seltzer, who lived 100 extraordinary years filled with movement, laughter, connection, optimism and purpose, passed away peacefully on Dec. 31, 2025.
Born in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1925, Linkie was a vibrant force — a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend whose warmth and boundless energy enriched every life she touched and inspired all who knew her. She leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity and joy.
A professional dancer, creative and accomplished seamstress and tailor, public speaker, entrepreneur, author, philanthropist and tireless community volunteer, Linkie believed deeply in showing up, giving back and bringing people together. She attended SMU and UT Austin. She made Dallas her lifelong home, where she raised three children and built a life rich in relationships and service.
As a young woman, Linkie danced professionally with the Starlight Operettas at Dallas Fair Park and later taught ballroom dancing and trained instructors at Arthur Murray Dance Studio.
Throughout her life, she was committed to volunteerism and civic engagement, which led her to leadership roles with B’nai B’rith, Shearith Israel, Temple Emanu-El, the Jewish Federation of Greater Dallas, where she was chair of the Women’s Fundraising Division, and Dallas ISD, where she served as chairman of the Human Relations Commission. She was also involved in musical theater choreography and served as den mother for Girl and Boy Scouts. She served as executive director of the Southwest Region of American Friends of the Hebrew University. She was also an ambassador for Dallas at DFW Airport and founded Speaker’s Source International, a nonprofit that shared lessons of love, dignity and human connection at colleges and organizations across the country. In 1976, she launched “The Linkie Fitness Plan,” offering fitness breaks to the corporate world, espousing “good health is simply good business.”
Among her many honors, Linkie was nominated for the Dallas Linz Award. She was awarded the first Turtle Creek Chorale Bridge Builder’s Award for connecting the Chorale with Temple Shalom’s cantor, culminating in a performance at the Meyerson Symphony Center; in this role she forged meaningful connections across faiths and communities. She served as a trustee of the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, helping build bridges between deaf children and the Turtle Creek Chorale, and produced the television series “Covenant” for ABC. She also wrote books to inspire at-risk youth through Big Brothers Big Sisters.
As a mother, she thoughtfully guided her children in learning Hebrew; dancing ballet, tap and ballroom; playing the piano and tennis; sewing; enjoying camp; and practicing good manners — lessons that shaped their lives.
Forever curious and adventurous, Linkie traveled far and wide to Israel, Europe, Russia, Bali and India. In India and in the United States, she studied yoga and meditation.
Linkie was a true pioneer who blazed the path for women and those in need. She lived with dignity, resilience and joy, cultivating deep and lasting relationships with family and friends throughout her century-long life.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Ann and Nathan Levine; her husbands, Marcus Seltzer and Henry Cohn; and her brother, Gerald Levine. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters, Adrienne Seltzer Lithman and Cathy Négrel (Pierre); her son, Robert Seltzer (Teresa Parker); her grandchildren, Rachel Marissa Lithman (Alexander Vargas Martinez) and Marcus Daniel Lithman (Brittany Taggart); and her great-grandsons, Atlas Lithman Vargas and Dillon Taggart Lithman.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to Rabbi David Stern and the clergy of Temple Emanu-El; to the devoted second-floor care team of The Legacy Midtown Park Healthcare Center, with a nod to Toni Walker, director of nursing, who oversaw her care, and Alexandreia Henderson, activities director, who kept Linkie engaged and joyful in life; and Legacy at Home Hospice, with special thanks to Elina Romanov, Kira Davis, Heather Rey and Rabbi Holly Cohn. The family also thanks her dedicated caregivers, Lisa Stanford and Norma Housey, for their kindness and care during Linkie’s final chapter.
A memorial service celebrating Linkie’s life will be held at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, Feb. 15, in Temple Emanu-El’s Stern Chapel.
Donations may be made to Temple Emanu-El, The Legacy Senior Communities, Turtle Creek Chorale or Titus/Dance Unbound.
Linkie’s Dallas Jewish Historical Society oral history video can be viewed at youtube.com/watch?v=TYA41iI8OAc.
