Myrtle Scheffres Katzen, 97 (11 days short of her 98th birthday) died peacefully late in the day on Jan. 28 in Chevy Chase, MD. Myrtle was preceded in death by her husband of 27 years, Jerome Scheffres, her husband of 26 years, Cyrus Katzen, her daughter Holly Bolter, her granddaughter Julie Scheffres, her parents Jeanette and Herman Walker, and her sister Doris Fields.
She is survived by her son Michael Scheffres (Susan), her step son Jay Katzen (Lynn), her step daughter Linda Swartz, her grandchildren Cara Scheffres, Jeff Bolter (Stephanie), Joe Scheffres (Lauren), Alexandra Draiman (Adam), her great-grandchildren Cooper Poorman, Jack Poorman, Sadie Bolter, Gavin Scheffres, Logan Scheffres, Harper Draiman and Madison Draiman.
Myrtle was a very talented artist who started painting as a little girl and painted in her studio until two years ago. She studied art at the Abbot School of Commercial Art, the Corcoran School, American University and was awarded an honorary degree from George Washington University. She worked as a fashion illustrator for Sears and the Hecht Co. and also taught art at the Maret School.
Her artwork became desirable as she aged. She would often have art shows at the Katzen Art Center where many of her works sold and are hanging on the walls in several area homes. Because of her love for art, she and her husband, Dr. Cyrus Katzen, founded the Katzen Art Center at AU. She and Cy also contributed to the “The Dr. Cyrus and Myrtle Katzen Cancer Research Center” at GW Hospital.
Myrtle was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She was a local girl who never left town. She had a great, long life. Her favorite charities included the Make-A-Wish Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.