By Melody Mora-Shihadeh

When Dr. Morris E. Katz retired in 1987, he and his wife Frieda Hillson Katz moved to Sarasota. Sadly, Frieda passed in 1994. Dr. Katz remained a very active member of the Glenridge on Palmer Ranch community. He served as a medical volunteer for the Senior Friendship Center and attended Florida Studio Theatre with life companion Gertrude Gordon. After Ms. Gordon passed in 2010, Dr. Katz continued to join FST as a subscriber and FRIEND of the theatre, giving at the Patron level each and every year until his passing.

Dr. Morris E. Katz passed away on October 28, 2016, on his 102nd birthday. In the spring of 2018, FST learned that Dr. Katz generously gave to FST, as well as several other nonprofit arts organizations in our community, through a planned gift. In memory of his wife Frieda, Dr. Katz established The Morris E. and Frieda Hillson Katz Endowment for FST’s artistic operations. Through the thoughtfulness of Dr. Katz, their legacy and support of the theatre lives on.

Dr. Katz’s meaningful gift will strengthen FST’s Artistic Endowment for general operations. The theatre counts on a healthy Endowment. Every year the Endowment makes contributions to the Theater that consists of some portion of the interest generated by the fund. Our Artistic Endowment for general operating provides a stream of funding for the many artistic needs of the theatre. This year’s funds will provide support for program enhancements such as the technical equipment and designer positions needed for FST’s production of The Curious Incident of The Dog in the Night-Time.

Every donor who remembers FST through planned giving will become a member of the Legacy Society, a special group of individuals who have pledged continuous, lasting support to the theatre. As you are planning your financial future, it is the perfect time to think about how you would like to create a lasting legacy that will ensure the future of the programming you love. If your plans include a gift to FST, let us know. We want to thank you and honor your wishes.

Please contact Melody Mora-Shihadeh at 941-366-9017 ext. 326 or email mmora-shihadeh@floridastudiotheatre.org for more information, because planned giving matters to the future of FST.