Mickey Stern, A Life Well-lived

Known for her vibrant personality, passionate community leadership, sense of humor, creativity, beauty and, most importantly, her good works, Mickey Stern succumbed to cancer on July 1, 2016 in La Jolla, California.

Mickey is survived by her children, Bob Sturm and Melanie Sturm, son-in-law Marc Zachary, and her beloved grandson Zane Zachary. Her much-loved sisters – Dorothy Dimond, Ruth Fried and Marlys Marion – preceded her in death.

Born August 21, 1934 in Sioux City, Iowa to Mary (Kiser) and Harry Rabiner, Mickey (Maxine Shirlee) lived a purposeful life, enriching the lives of people who’ve encountered her and causes lucky enough to claim her devotion. Fashion-forward and magnetic, she was a leading light, challenging people's better angels to follow her trailblazing, making possible the improbable.

Though worldly and wise, she emerged from a simple small-town background in Storm Lake, Iowa where she forged childhood friendships that lasted her lifetime. The youngest by nine years of four sisters, she was the first in her family to attend college.

Mickey obtained a degree in education from the University of Nebraska where she was a member of Sigma Delta Tau sorority, serving as its President. Her Ava Gardner-like looks elicited many suitors and beauty accolades. Ever the elementary school teacher, Mickey became an inspiring educator, in the classroom and later as a mother.

In 1963 she settled in Omaha, Nebraska, venturing into communal work where her determination thrust her into myriad leadership roles and relationships with influential people, including Nebraska Governor Bob Kerry and Warren Buffet.

It was frequently said, “If you want something done, ask Mickey.” That’s because, as the Omaha Jewish Press noted, “she reached for perfection, and she succeeded.” When Mickey got done with a job title, people would clamor to succeed her so they could assume the now glamorous role.

During the 1970s, she rose through the volunteer ranks in Omaha’s Jewish Federation, supercharging its United Jewish Appeal campaign. Following her usual template, she picked reliable partners, averting her understandable frustration with people who’d say, “Let’s do this big idea…and you be lets,” as she put it.

As co-chair of the Women’s Division, she hatched the brilliant idea to bring Holocaust survivor Gerda Klein to Omaha to unfurl her incredible story at a series of teas, melting the women’s generous hearts, and those of her impressionable adolescent children.

In 1986, she chaired a trailblazing fundraiser in Omaha for the US Holocaust Memorial Museum for which she garnered enormous support and attention, creating a template for other communities across the country.

Through her work, she became acquainted with Elie Weisel for whom she had the greatest admiration. At her funeral, it was noted that Mickey would be pleased that the two were making their debuts in the next world together on the eve of July 4th, the day that celebrates the nation they both loved which, along with Israel, is among the greatest blessings the Jewish people have ever known.

Mickey was driven to be a blessing herself. She understood that as a Jew she was put on earth for a reason involving responsibilities and challenges to meet a higher standard. Consistent with the Jewish tenant that the loss of one human being is the loss of an entire world, she worked to assure a Holocaust would never happen again. To her great credit, she used her voice, her organizational abilities and her resources to advance this noble goal.

Her tireless efforts on behalf of sustaining the memory of those who perished in the Holocaust are well recognized by the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. She also earned her way into Who’s Who of American Women.

When Mickey moved to La Jolla in 1988 following a bought with breast cancer, her tenacity, courage, outgoing nature, and ever-present desire to impact the world helped her forge a new life in California where she made more friends and championed myriad vital causes. Friends say of her, “you never had to ask Mickey for anything; she just knew what to do. If you had a cold, soon chicken soup would show up on your stoop.”

Referring to Mickey’s self-description in its interview of her – “I’ve always tried to help good causes,” she said – the LaJolla Light newspaper called her a “woman with a gift for understatement.”

Entrusted with a beautiful soul, Mickey used it to move through the world with seriousness, purpose, generosity, kindness and love. She understood the ultimate question of life is not how great you think you are, but how great you think your purpose is. She taught others how to stand out for noble reasons by standing out so nobly herself… and to always try to retain a sense of humor about life.

Her life was a gift.

Mickey’s family gratefully acknowledges the loving support she received over the last year from her remarkable stable of caregivers and doctors. Donations in Mickey’s memory are encouraged and the following causes are ones she championed:

1. M.D. Anderson Hospital - designated to “The Mickey Stern Breast Cancer Research Fund.”
2. Athenaeum Music and Arts Library, 1008 Wall St, La Jolla, CA 92037
3. The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego, CA 92101
4. La Jolla Community Center, 6811 La Jolla Blvd, La Jolla, CA 92037
5. The University of Nebraska
6. Beth Israel Synagogue, 9001 Towne Center Drive, San Diego, CA 92122