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Elizabeth Denebeim Obituary

Elizabeth ("Libby")
Denebeim

San Francisco civic leader and lifelong volunteer, beloved wife of the late Robert S. Denebeim, passed away peacefully Nov. 15, 2013. Elizabeth Allton Bennitt Denebeim was 83.


Libby was born May 22, 1930, in Columbia, Mo., the elder daughter of Ruth Eynon Bennitt and Rudolf Bennitt, a wildlife conservationist and professor of zoology at the University of Missouri. Libby graduated from St. Mary's Hall High School in Faribault, Minn., then entered the University of Missouri, where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma and met Robert. They graduated, then married. She obtained a master's degree in education and taught elementary school in Tampa, Fl., while Bob completed his service in the U.S. Air Force. They moved to the Bay Area in 1956 and a year later to San Francisco, where Bob went into business with his brothers, James and Bruce Denebeim.


Libby involvement with community organizations was lifelong. Education, particularly early childhood education, mental health services, hospice, and helping people of all ages faced with a struggle to survive — whether from disability, poverty, abuse or prejudice — were her main interests.


She served on the San Francisco Board of Education from 1981 to 1993, including a term as president in 1988. She chaired the Delinquency Prevention Commission, and served on the Mayor's Advisory Council on Families, Children and Youth as well as the Mayor's Criminal Justice Council. With Martha Roditti, she published "Guide to Services for Children, Youth and Families in San Francisco."


Libby helped bring hospice services to San Francisco as co-chair of the capital campaign for Coming Home Hospice, one of the first AIDS residences in the country. She was a trustee of Pacific Medical Center for 12 years and a member of the Board of Directors of the Institute on Aging.  


A board president of the San Francisco Mental Health Association, in 1971 she chaired its Education Committee, advocating to end the definition of homosexuality as a "mental illness" and remove the section on homosexuality from the National Psychiatric Association's Manual of Mental Disorders. In 1978 she campaigned against California Proposition 6, the Briggs Initiative, which sought to ban gays and lesbians from working in California's public schools. She served on the Health Department's Committee on Services for People with AIDS/ARC and the Mayor's HIV Task Force, and was a board member of the NAMES Project (AIDS Quilt).


Libby was board president of the Charila Foundation, which operates residences for emotionally disturbed teenage girls; La Casa de Las Madres, a safe home for victims of domestic violence and their children; and SAGE (Standing Against Global Exploitation).


Many other organizations benefited from her wide-ranging passions: the San Francisco Boys Chorus, Cathedral School for Boys, Outward Bound's Pacific Crest School, San Francisco Head Start, Jewish Family and Children's Services, National Council of Jewish Women San Francisco section, San Francisco Adult Day Health Services Network, Community Living Campaign, and San Francisco Study Center.


Libby also was an advisor to the Children's Psychological Trauma Center, Oakes Children's Center, Women's Alcoholism Center/Pomeroy House, and the Pine-Pierce House for Young Developmentally Disabled Adults. With her close friend Anne Bashkiroff, she helped establish the Family Caregiver Alliance.


Awards for her work included: Volunteer Merit Award from the United Way in 1984, Outstanding Volunteer Award for the Pacific Medical Center in 1987, San Francisco Senior Center Lives of Achievement Award in 1999, and the Community Service Award from the Community Living Campaign in 2012. The California Legislature named Libby Assembly District 12 Woman of the Year in 2003.


She is survived by her children Robert (Betty Watkins), Nancy (Dan Nowak), David, William (Mark Vogel), Thomas (Jennifer Coates) and Edward; her grandchildren, Daniel, Kathleen and Jack Denebeim, Robert and Catherine Mitchell, and Allton and Samuel Vogel-Denebeim; and her sisters-in-law, Beverley and Helene Denebeim, brother-in-law Dart Whitmore, and their children and grandchildren. Libby's sister, Eleanor Jackson Bennitt Whitmore, died in 1957.


Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at 11 a.m., Nov. 26, 2013, at Congregation Emanu-El, Arguello and Lake streets, in San Francisco.


The family suggests that those who wish to honor Libby's memory consider contributions to one of the organizations advocated by Libby or by the donor.

Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Nov. 21 to Nov. 25, 2013.
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Memories and Condolences
for Elizabeth Denebeim

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From the very first time I met Libby Denebeim when she was running school board I loved Libby Denebeim. When Community Living Campaign honored Libby and I saw her list of accomplishments including a large family, I was in awe! So many of us owe Libby Denebeim much thanks. I am sorry for your loss. I am giving a donation to Comunnity Living Campaign in her honor.

Linda Post

November 29, 2013

Before joining the Community Living Campaign board and serving with her all too briefly, I had not realized how closely Libby's vision and participation were so intertwined with much of the best of San Francisco's caring and giving tapestry. What a creative, results-oriented presence she was, and ever will be. I think I will honor her best with my own renewed commitment to caring and giving and service. And, I'll chuckle at the tart, on-point contributions from this volunteer leader who clearly took very, very seriously her job of moving along the communities and groups where she focused her energy and talent and resources. I was so lucky to share just a facet of her time here on earth. And the occasional gift of her smile, which was hard-won, and completely charming. Libby's was an amazing life, well-lived.

Jill Center

November 25, 2013

Among all of her lifelong achievements, Libby was also a dear friend of my mother, Elizabeth (also Libby) Emmert Allor. I last saw Libby when she spoke at my mother's memorial service in 1999. She was a lovely presence at the service, and so thoughtful and well spoken. They had recently taken a cruise to Alaska together and I see their smiling faces together now as well. My deepest sympathy to all of the Dennebeim family on their loss. Wishing you peace.

Catharine Allor

November 24, 2013

Libby will be missed by so many. Although we can"t be with you on the 26th, we will honor her memory in Columbia, Missouri with love and gratitude for her life.
Judy and Jim Saffran, Bruce and Lise and families

November 24, 2013

Libby was heart worker. We are all beneficiaries of her human rights legacy and her ability to lead with discipline and follow though. I was inspired and relied on her in our endeavors when she Co-Chaired the Capital Campaign at the Women's Building and Chaired the Board at SAGE during very trying times. Thank you Libby and family.

Roma Guy

November 23, 2013

A person is blessed if they're able touch or impact another's life...imagine all the blessings gathered for you.

I feel blessed to have known you, and the world is a better place because of you.

Rest in peace.

Francine Braae

November 23, 2013

My deepest sympathy to the family of Libby. I worked for her at Council of Jewish Women in San Francisco, and was a fellow resident. I am so sorry for your loss.

Adrienne Jonas

November 21, 2013

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