Leona Lee Bohm
Published March 24, 2022
LEONA LEE BOHM
Mom passed away on March 22, 2022, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. Born in St. Louis, MO to Celia (nee Yablonofsky) and Julius Cytron on April 21, 1928. Mom shared her life with her husband, Milford Bohm (z’l) from 1952 until his death in 2000. Beloved mother of Miriam Margulies, Vicki (Craig) Norberg-Bohm (z’l), David (Joan) and Robert (Sue). Grandmother of Julia (Dan) Covert, Rebecca Margulies, Joseph, Eric, Joshua (Ellen) and Justin Bohm, and Jeremy Norberg-Bohm. Cherished aunt and great-aunt.
Mom was a trusted confidant for her children. Mom helped create many fond memories for the family, including from the many wonderful family vacations on which she took her children and grandchildren, both before and after Dad’s death. She particularly enjoyed, and we will never forget, her 90th birthday party where she was surrounded by extended family who came in from all over the country, as well as many good friends.
Mom was an RN, graduating from the Jewish Hospital (now Goldfarb) School of Nursing in 1949, and working at Children’s Hospital thereafter until her marriage. Mom maintained an affinity for and supported Goldfarb throughout her lifetime.
Mom was a great philanthropist, giving selflessly of both her money and her time, setting a wonderful example that her family can only hope to emulate. She was recognized as a Woman of Achievement in 1981 for her volunteer service. Over the years, Mom held many volunteer positions including: Brownie and Girl Scout troop leader, 61-66; campaign chair and then president of the Women’s Division of the St. Louis Jewish Federation, 79-83; president of St. Louis Jewish Family and Children’s Services, 77-79; board member of the American Jewish Family and Children’s Association, 77-83; lifetime member of the Board of Directors of Temple Shaare Emeth, lifetime member of the St. Louis Jewish Federation Board of Directors; longtime board member of Miriam United Order of True Sisters, St. Louis Chapter, and vice-president 81-83; board member, Visiting Nursing Association, 83-86; board member of the Community Housing Management Corp. (Covenant/Chai), 80-89, and president 87-89; longtime member of the Board of Directors of the American Society for Technion; member of the Board of Directors of the Repertory Theatre, 90-00 (including two years as vice-president); and member of the Board of Directors of the Jewish Hospital College of Nursing, 03-05.
Among the awards Mom received were the Albert Einstein Award (with Milford) from the American Technion Society, 87; the AJC’s Community Service Award, ’88; the Shining Star Award from the Women’s Division of the Jewish Federation, ’93; the Ner Tamid (eternal flame) award (with Milford) from the Jewish Family and Children’s Service, ’96; election to the Honor Roll of the Jewish Hospital College of Nursing, ’03; and AJC’s Netzach award (along with her sons David and Robert and their wives Joan and Sue), ‘08; and the L’dor V’dor Award with her family from Congregation Shaare Emeth, 14.
Mom loved to garden, and her yard was always blooming with flowers from early spring until late fall. Mom kept an immaculate home in which she warmly entertained family and friends. She was a wonderful chef and baker. Mom greatly enjoyed the cultural arts, and greatly enjoyed the St. Louis Symphony, the Repertory Theatre, and COCA. David and Joan have fond memories of attending many shows at the Rep with Mom.
She and Dad purchased a home in Palm Springs where they would go for several months each winter, and Mom continued to winter in Palm Springs for many years after Dad’s death, spending time with friends there and with visiting family members.
Mom was warm, fun, caring and fiercely independent. As Alzheimer’s disease started to make it more difficult for Mom to care for a large home, she moved into the Gatesworth, where she enjoyed spending time with many of her friends who resided there.
Finally, Mom moved to Parc Provence where she lived for the last year and a half of her life. The family would very much like to thank the caregivers at Parc Provence for the wonderful care they provided to Mom, and we would especially like to thank Kathy and Clara. The family would also like to thank Heartland Hospice for the care its staff provided to Mom during the last few months of her life.
The memorial service for Lee Bohm, is scheduled for Sunday at 1 pm CDT at Congregation Shaare Emeth, St. Louis, MO. The memorial service will be followed by grave side ceremony at Chesed Shel Emeth Cemetery. The memorial service will be live streamed. The URL for the live stream is https://boxcast.tv/view/funeral-service-of-lee-bohm-tgfuzfl1rwekba8zidui. The family is requesting that, in lieu of flowers, gifts be made to the Harvey Kornblum Food Pantry, Covenant/Chai, or the Goldfarb School of Nursing.
BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE
