A Gift of Love and Legacy: Honoring Louise Nemeth on Her 100th Birthday
To honor what would have been their beloved mother’s 100th birthday, Stephanie Bronson and her surviving siblings, Stephen and Valerie Nemeth, chose to celebrate her life with a gift of profound impact: a $100,000 donation to Jewish Family Service LA. For Stephanie, this gift was not only “the most natural” choice but a deeply personal tribute to Louise Nemeth’s enduring spirit, compassion, and values.
One of seven siblings, Louise Ross was born on January 2, 1925, in Los Angeles. Louise was a woman of remarkable strength and kindness. Her life’s path reflected her commitment to service, both to her community and beyond. In the aftermath of World War II, Louise—a social worker—was sent by the U.S. State Department to Japan, Korea, Hungary, and Austria. At a Christmas Eve party in Vienna, she met a young British Army Captain, Dr. Gerald Nemeth. They fell in love and were married in England where their first child, Valerie, was born. They headed to Los Angeles so her beloved Gerry could begin his training as a psychoanalyst, and Louise could reunite with her large and loving family. They built a life filled with purpose, family, Judaism, love, and a steadfast dedication to helping others.
After Gerald’s passing, Louise reinvented herself at the age of 61, stepping back into the workforce with determination and grace. She became the coordinator of the Friendly Visitor program at the Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Center, a role that perfectly aligned with her values. The program addressed the profound impact of loneliness and isolation on older adults and individuals with disabilities—a mission Louise wholeheartedly embraced. For Stephanie, this work exemplified her mother’s legacy of empathy and service.
Today, JFSLA continues that very work in the same Felicia Mahood Multipurpose Center where Louise once made her mark. This connection is not lost on Stephanie. “JFSLA feels like our family,” she shared. “JFSLA’s work carries forward the values my mother lived by. It’s a l’dor v’dor connection—a legacy passed down from generation to generation.” Serendipitously, the Bronson family has a senior member who is now the beneficiary of the JFSLA CONNECT volunteer program, through the dedication of the West Hollywood senior center.
Stephanie and her husband, Harold Bronson, first connected with JFSLA through friends and supporters: Chuck Hurwitz, of blessed memory, and Shana and Don Passman, whose steadfast commitment to JFSLA has inspired many. This community of caring reinforced for Stephanie that JFSLA was the right place to honor her mother’s memory and values.
“When I think of my mother’s life, her quiet strength, and the causes closest to her heart, this gift to Jewish Family Service LA was an easy decision. JFSLA embodies everything she believed in: compassion, dignity, and the belief that no one should feel alone or forgotten. It’s a gift of love—a way to ensure her spirit lives on and continues to touch lives.”
JFSLA is honored to receive this meaningful gift, which will strengthen its mission to serve those in need with dignity, kindness, and care. Just as Louise Nemeth devoted her life to helping others, this gift will carry her light forward, ensuring her legacy shines for generations to come.
