Kenna Mae Katz Reese

September 1, 1941 - December 27, 2020

Hanna Kenna Mae Reese, affectionately known as "Kenny" was born on September 1, 1941 to Samuel Katz and Sylvia Recht. She passed away peacefully in her home on December 27, 2020. Hanna was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and graduated from Allderdice High School. In 1960, she moved to Israel to live on the Kibbutz in Givat Haim and soon met her first husband, Ezio Semo to whom her daughters Emily and Johanna (Nana) were born. While in Israel she lived and worked at Kfar Habaptistm where she met Asher Reese, her lifelong best friend. They married in 1975 in an intimate ceremony in Cyprus. Throughout her life, she has served in many occupations, but above all, she was a superb homemaker who took pride in caring for her family with her magical touch and attention to detail. When she was not doting on her family, she loved to read, to cook, and to create beautiful art, which she shared generously with her loved ones. She lived a full and meaningful life and touched everyone she met with her kindness, her generosity (she would give you the scarf off of her neck), her humble spirit, and her love for God. She was a warm hug and beautiful soul who could enter a room and spread love and peace just by her presence. She will be remembered for her smile, her sense of humor, and for her acceptance towards everyone. She shined a bright light in people's lives with her inspired thoughts, words, and actions. Hanna is survived by six children, all who were born in Israel: Emily "Amy" (Eyal), Yohana "Nana" (Dror), Ahuvah (Andrew), Magdalena "Maggie" (Angelos), Samuel (Jessica), and Elisheva "Ellie" Reese; eight grandchildren; and a beloved sister Josie Katz (Israel). She is preceded in passing by her parents, Samuel and Sylvia Katz, her brother, Yale Katz, and her grandson Jacob Isaiah Reese. She left these words to her children that she lived herself: "Life is beautiful Choose to be happy Don't try to understand it all--just live it Be a blessing--kind Mitzvah after mitzvah" She was buried next to her mother Sylvia under a full moon on the 15th of Tevet at the Eretz HaChaim cemetery in the Jerusalem Hills.