Dorothy Hartstein

It is with great sadness and a very heavy heart that I would like our friends and extended family to know that today we’ve lost the matriarch of our family, Dorothy, at age 96. In her career as a Registered Dietitian at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center for over a decade, she counseled thousands of patients on how to improve their nutrition and subsequently their health.

Born Dorothy Shirley Federman in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she graduated from Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh where she majored in Home Economics with a Food and Nutrition Major.

Dorothy worked at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Philadelphia, PA, Veterans Administration Wadsworth General Hospital in Los Angeles, California and Long Beach Memorial Hospital Medical Center.

Her Dietetic Internship was at Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA.

While at Long Beach Memorial, Dorothy wanted to help fundraise for the LB Memorial Hospital Foundation. She decided to write a cookbook and publish it at the hospital with volunteers, including myself, helping to collate it for distribution. The first of two cookbooks she would author was titled, “What My Doctor Orders” in homage to Dr. Paul, her husband of 69 years. Illustrated on the light hospital blue cover was a Stethoscope. The first and second editions sold out raising several thousand dollars for the LB Memorial Foundation.

A devoted volunteer throughout her life, Dorothy volunteered at the National Council of Jewish Women as President, the Vice President of Volunteers, Newsletter Editor, Treasurer, and Editor of the National Council’s Cookbook.

Dorothy was President of the PTA at Longfellow Elementary School in Long Beach Unified School District. She was also President of the PTA at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in Long Beach Unified School District. She was an active volunteer on the Long Beach Polytechnic Interracial Committee. She couldn’t leave Long Beach Poly PTA without assisting in compiling and being a principle contributor for another cookbook entitled “Poly Potpourri” with all of the proceeds going toward the Poly High School PTA.

Dorothy also served as Director of Meals on Wheels in Long Beach for several years managing the preparation and delivery of meals to hundreds of Long Beach residents who otherwise would not have had a hot nutritious meal at home. While Director, she instituted several efficiency and nutritional changes assisting the program in thriving extensively during her tenure and beyond. Ultimately, upon her retirement, she continued her volunteering as a Board Member for Long Beach Meals on Wheels, Advisory Board member of Restorative Home Care, Board Member of Long Beach Cancer League, Board Member of America Red Cross Long Beach, President of Los Angeles County Medical Association Auxiliary Board, (LACMA) and Board Member of the Long Beach Symphony.

One of the highlights of Dorothy’s tremendous Volunteer Career was a campaign fundraising luncheon at their California Avenue home in circa 1978 for local Incumbent Congressman Mark Hanaford, representing Long Beach/Lakewood, CA, who was also a patient of Dr. Paul’s for decades. They enjoyed a special VIP visit that day with then Speaker of the House of Representatives Thomas P. “Tip” O’Neil! In true Dorothy style, pictured above, she was very animated and convincingly made her points with The Speaker of The House who left their luncheon both full and satisfied with the suggestions to take back to Washington D.C.

In 2005, Dorothy “Retired from the Los Angeles Dodgers Group” as she wrote in her announcement to the then eight families we shared our Season Tickets with since Chavez Ravine was built. She also wrote in a memo to the Dodger Group Members, “Distributing Dodger Tickets among you the past 36 years has been overall a balancing act worth doing. Your friendship and ready cooperation has always been very much appreciated.” She nurtured and maintained a strong sense of cooperation amongst the families who loved baseball and instilled so many values with each other including efforts to resolve conflicting dates with one another, teamwork, sportsmanship, and a fondness for the pure athleticism displayed by the players. She loved Tommy LaSorda and his off color commentary saying, “He always got the job done, whatever it took!” Occasionally each Spring, as I passed the dining room table where she diligently laid out all of the vintage hard copy tickets for distribution, and blew off

some steam along the way, I could have sworn Tommy was in the room! In her memo, she described me as, “Now accepting the responsibility to do his best, with his wife Karen, to be fair, and satisfy your scheduling concerns.” That tradition will continue on to “Bring Home a WINNER!” The infamous quote Dad had coined years earlier meant not only to Bring Home a Win but to also enjoy the date with family and friends which he also considered a WIN.

Dorothy will always be remembered for her elaborate and delicious meals, their exquisite presentation, and their infamous gatherings in the stunning mid-century home that both she and Dr. Paul built at 4210.

Dr. Paul preceded her passing in April 2017. Dorothy leaves four children, Nancy, Gordon, Mark, Scott, five grandchildren, Joanna Jacintho Hartstein Leães, Gregory Hartstein, son in law Bernardo Leães David, Emily, Hannah Hartstein, and three great grandchildren, Olivia, Stella, and Joao Leäes.

May her Memory be a Blessing and May she Rest in Peace…