Hy Penn and Lynn Gordon: Committed to a Lifetime Cause

If ever there was a couple who epitomized dedication to remembering the horrors of the Holocaust and honoring the legacy of those both lost and remaining, Lynn Gordon and Hy Penn stand tall. For the better part of their married lives, they have walked this walk, leading, teaching and giving back with their time, resources and hearts.

Lynn, a retired nurse, grew up in a diverse New York City neighborhood. She never belonged to a synagogue, but celebrated Jewish holidays. "I never encountered antisemitism growing up. But when I met Hy and heard his family's story, it had a profound impact on me."

Hy's parents, Morris and Linda, were both Holocaust Survivors who witnessed the murder of their families and survived through sheer fortitude and the kindness of others. Hidden by Christian families during the war, Morris lost everyone from his Lithuanian family except his brother, Joseph, and sister-in-law, Rica. Linda, from Poland, and her mother, Riva Kremer, survived multiple camps and witnessed many atrocities.

Morris and Linda met in a displaced persons' camp in Austria and, after finding relatives in America, reconnected and married in 1951 before starting a new life together in Houston. They were married 49 years, before Linda's passing.

"My parents survived the unthinkable, and moved to Newgulf, Texas, near Wharton, when I was 3 years old to become the owners of a dry goods store. After eight years as the town's only Jewish family, we moved to Houston, so my siblings and I could be raised with a greater Jewish presence," explains Hy.

"Despite all they endured, they were people of faith and Judaism was an important part of our family. I went to Sunday School in Wharton, and once in Houston, we joined Congregation Beth Yeshurun, where I had my Bar Mitzvah and attended religious high school. I continued on to the University of Texas at Austin, medical school at UT San Antonio, and was a pediatric resident at UTMB in Galveston, when I met Lynn, who was in nursing education. We were set up on a blind date, and she never returned to the East Coast," he admits. "In 1985 I moved to Kingwood with Lynn following soon after, and we became active members of Temple Beth Torah, where we still belong."

Linda and Morris retired in their 60s, and began a second career telling their life story to schools and groups who wanted to learn more. Morris was a founding board member of Holocaust Museum Houston and was active with the Museum well into his 80s. "His tale of nomadic living for three years with his brother and sister-in-law, hiding from farm to farm, is remarkable," explains Hy. "Fortunately, we were able to return with my parents to Poland and Lithuania and personally thank the Christian families who saved my father. When we asked them why they put their own lives at risk to save Jews, they simply said, 'It had to be done.'"

Today, Lynn and Hy are members of the Museum's Legacy Society. Lynn has served as a docent at the Museum for the past 15 years, and Hy, also a Museum board member, for the past 10. "I knew I needed to do something to help remember Hy's parents and share the message of this terrible time in our history," Lynn proclaims. "We are obligated to support teaching the dangers of unchecked apathy, prejudice and hate. It is part of our family's calling."

The couple has set up a planned gift with the focus of giving others hope. "Our family and so many others not only overcame this nightmare, they thrived in spite of it," Hy adds. "Sometime soon we hope to set up an endowment that outlives us. We all can and must make a difference."

And in that vein, Hy counts his blessings. "My grandmother lived to be almost 101, the oldest living Holocaust survivor in Houston at the time. When I was young, she used to send me magic tricks in the mail. Today, I still perform magic for my patients at Texas Children's Pediatrics, non-profit groups around town, and have even opened for singer Kinky Friedman. I am nicknamed 'The Great Hydini,' and I still love performing magic, whenever I am asked."

For Lynn and Hy, it just makes sense. From pain and ashes, comes magic, if you choose a life of hope and giving back.

You, too, can pass on a legacy of hope through a planned gift to Holocaust Museum Houston. Contact Colton Larsen at clarsen@hmh.org or 713-527-1612 to discuss your giving options.