Leah S. Goren

Leah Nathan Goren

She was born and raised in Houston, Texas.  In her first year at the University of Texas she was voted one of the best dressed women on campus.  She was also an Orange Jacket while majoring in zoology. She met her husband Jack Goren while they were both attending UT, and they married after graduation.  They moved to Dallas in the early 1950’s where they lived for most of their lives. While raising three children, she also continued her love of modern dance.  She helped found the Dallas Ballet and became the first director.  When she retired from dancing in her 40s she studied painting with Roger Winter at SMU and became a modern painter.  Her work was exhibited in several galleries in Dallas over the years.  She continued painting and exhibiting until her 90s. 

Everyone knew she had the coolest apartment and the wildest earrings.  She was always impeccably put together.  She had friends in every community she was a part of—at her art studio, her temple, with her fellow artists, and with other people who cared about making the world more beautiful.  

She is survived by her children: Robert Goren and his wife Lynn of Los Angeles, Joan Goren Brannon of Durham, and John Goren of Dallas.  She is also survived by her grandchildren Rebecca Brannon (spouse Joan Anderson) of Harrisonburg, Virginia and Hillary Brannon (spouse Kurt Reutter) of Greensboro, and by five great-grandchildren.