These three generations of native Houstonian women share a legacy of leadership and of service: Aileen Becker Gordon and her daughter Frann Gordon Lichtenstein and her daughter Jill Lichtenstein Deutser.
Aileen Gordon has dedicated her life to family and philanthropy. With her late husband and best friend of 56 years, Harry B. Gordon of Gordon’s Jewelers, she has touched the community through their involvement with arts, medical and religious organizations. Aileen has been a member of the boards of the Salvation Army, March of Dimes, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony, National Council of Jewish Women, Jewish Federation of Houston, The Women’s Fund, Jewish Community Center, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, and a proud supporter of M.D. Anderson Cancer Center as well as Texas Children’s Hospital.
Frann Lichtenstein, involved in the retail jewelry business for over thirty years, has also been an active participant in the Houston community and its charitable organizations. She has worked closely with the Children’s Diabetes Center, The Retina Research Foundation and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, for whom she has been a fundraiser extraordinaré. Frann has served on boards of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Symphony, Baylor 10, George H. Hermann Society and the JFK National Committee for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. She also has co-chaired several fundraising events for Interfaith Ministries of Greater Houston, March of Dimes and the Hospice at the Texas Medical Center.
Jill Deutser’s primary community service focus is on education, healthcare and the wellbeing of children. Jill and husband Brad have been active members of Leaders of Tomorrow for UT Health Science Center and Young Leaders for Medicine for The Methodist Hospital. They were Co-Presidents of The Children’s Fund, for whom they achieved record-setting growth and fundraising. Jill is a member of the Advance Team for UT M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, has co-chaired the BEAR Guild for two years and has done tireless work for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in many capacities. Diabetes is a passionate cause for the whole family, as Jill has lived with it since she was 11. Jill and Brad are working with UT Health Science Center to develop a comprehensive, multi-dimensional, world-renowned Diabetes Wellness Center here.
All three have held leadership positions in Congregation Beth Israel and all are devoted mothers of beloved, delightful children.