Artist, Dog Trainer Iris Katz Dies at 76

January 27, 2026 Staff Report

(Photo courtesy of Sol Levinson & Bros.)

Iris Katz, a veteran textile and needlepoint artist and longtime canine enthusiast, passed away on Monday, Jan. 26.

The longtime Westminster resident was 76.

For more than four decades, Katz was a textile artist specializing in detailed animal portraiture.

In addition, Katz was a longtime volunteer for the Carroll County Humane Society and the Carroll County 4-H Club. She also was an exhibitor of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel breeds at dog shows.

“Always a warm smile, she was kind to all. Iris will be fondly remembered and dearly missed,” posted the American Kennel Club’s Dog Show Fanciers group on social media. “Iris was always encouraging others and promoting the sport. Iris was involved in many aspects of the sport, and her dogs were always in beautiful condition and were wonderfully trained. Her dogs were blessed to have such a devoted owner. … A very special lady.”

Posted David C. Cramer: “Iris was very nice person who I met in 1976 at Canine College. We trained dogs together for a few years and we used to see each other at dog shows. She always had something nice to say. May her memory be a blessing.”

Katz is survived by her husband of 53 years, Terry Katz; her sister, Roberta Levine (Alan Sisselman); her in-laws, Sidney (Sally) Katz, and Allen (Arlene) Katz.

She was predeceased by her parents, Beatrice and Sidney Levine.

Services will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 4, at 1 p.m. at Arlington Chizuk Amuno Cemetery, 4300 N. Rogers Avenue. Contributions in her memory may be sent to the Humane Society of Carroll County, 2517 Littlestown Pike, Westminster, MD 21158.

“Iris was a grand lady,” William H. Miller wrote on the website of Sol Levinson & Bros. “I met her at dog shows and she always had a kind word for all. One of the nicest people I ever met.”