Obituaries

July 10, 1918 – January 2, 2017 Lena Jaffe was born in South Pasadena on July 10th, 1918 at 10:30 AM at 529 El Centro Street to her Russian parents, Nathan Jaffe and Pearl Lossaf. She grew up in South Pasadena, attending school and helping out her parents in their furniture shop, in which she was the top salesperson. She loved going to Boyle Heights with her mom to get kosher meats and go to the candy store. Leah was one of four siblings including, Ruth, Anne and Mickey. She resided most of her childhood on Diamond Ave, across the street from the South Pasadena library. At 18, she attended a dance at met Irving and it was love at first sight.19-year-old Leah Jaffe married 23-year-old Irving Fogel on April 21st, 1938 by Municipal Court Judge Arthur Guerin. They enjoyed a wonderful marriage and life together raising their two sons, Paul and Steven, ending tragically in 1953 with Irving’s sudden death. Leah raised her two boys as a single mother, supporting her family by buying and selling houses around the Crescent Heights neighborhood and soon buying and selling apartment buildings alongside her son Steve. Leah enjoyed working at Bullocks in Westwood and was very proud of running the holiday shop every year and being the top salesperson. She spent the majority of her adult life living between Century City and Palm Springs and then Rancho Mirage at the Springs. She loved to travel and went on cruises around the world. She also had a passion for needle pointing and long walks every day. Leah is survived by her two sons, Paul and Steve, her four grandchildren, Melinda, Nicole, Kelly and Blake and her great-grandson Luca, as well as her current and past daughter in laws, Sheila, Darlene, Judy and Jo. She loved Marta & Cira who spent every day caring for her and creating great friendships. Leah lived a remarkable 98 and a half years in Los Angeles. She spent the last years of her life happily living with her son Steve, reading several books a week (mostly Danielle Steele and Jackie Collins) and keeping up on all the news and Hollywood gossip. Her favorite day of the week was Sunday when she would go to Nate N Als where her table awaited her and everybody knew her, followed by her weekly ride around town or a shopping trip for clothing and books. Leah was a fashion icon and dressed chic in her stylish outfits and dark glasses everywhere she went, constantly having strangers compliment her beauty inside and out.
Leah passed away peacefully in bed on January 2nd at her home in Los Angeles with the utmost of dignity. Services will take place at Hillside Cemetery on Thursday, Jan 5th at 2pm where Leah will be laid to rest.