Michele Kort Obituary

January 30, 1950 - June 26, 2015 MICHELE FAYE KORT (January 30, 1950 - June 26, 2015) died peacefully at home Friday after a long battle with ovarian cancer. A dedicated feminist and senior editor of Ms. magazine for the past 13 years. Michele completed her BA in art history at UCLA and graduated with an MBA in arts management in 1975. She became director of the Women's Building, an early feminist space in Los Angeles. A lifelong Angeleno, Michele was a devoted fan of the Bruins and played for the UCLA women's basketball team before Title IX opened up women's access to collegiate sports. She adored women's sports and covered them passionately throughout her career. After leaving the Women's Building, Michele began writing for The Grantsmanship Center News, which launched her award-winning career in journalism-first as a freelancer and later as an editor. Over her many decades in journalism, her bylines-covering sports, music, culture, art and feminist issues-appeared in LA Weekly, The Advocate, Shape, Redbook, Los Angeles Times Magazine, Songwriter, InStyle, Living Fit, Fit Pregnancy, Vegetarian Times, Fitness, UCLA Magazine, Women's Sports and Fitness and more. Her four published books have gained her a loyal following of readers who contact her regularly. Michele was a passionate lover of all music, always ready with a must-hear tune to bring out your inner dancer. Her biography of singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, Soul Picnic: The Music and Passion of Laura Nyro, was her greatest labor of love and is soon to be re-released-with a new afterword-as an e-book. She is survived by her partner of 25 years, Miriam; her father, Norman Kort; her sister Melissa Kort (Tom Meade); her beloved nephew Isaac Kort-Meade; her Kort, Geldin, and Bloom cousins; hundreds of friends, and her Corgis, Millie and Cricket. Services will be held Sunday at 1pm at Santa Monica Synagogue.

Published by Los Angeles Times on Jun. 28, 2015.
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Memories and Condolences
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Sponsored by Brad Williams, a fellow Laura Nyro fan.

Not sure what to say?





Knew her since forever, my sister, my friend. That voice and laugh that would light up any room .

Mark Hanauer

Friend

May 15, 2019

Giving thanks for the life and the passion of Michele Kort. Thank you for your gifts and your encouragement, and Rest In Peace with trains of music, in Ha'makom

Tom Porter

September 6, 2017

Michele strived to tell the story right & so she did. I only got to spend a short moment with her after soul picnic was released but I knew right from the start that she had the kindness & caring that Ms Nyro deserved. She was an honorable artist in her own rite.

B O'Brien

August 21, 2016

While I never met Michele personally we were both passionate Laura Nyro (and music) fans...although she was 15 years older than me and got to see her during her initial phase (where I managed to see her a few years before her passing). What's eery is that Nyro, who was Michele's favorite artist, passed from the same exact disease. It's unreal to me. Anyway, during her research and preparation for the Nyro bio I offered to, and did, a lot of research and legwork for her, out of love and respect. Michele and I got to talk on the phone quite a bit and what hit me right away about her was her genuine, witty, and joyous demeanor, and her sense of humor. Rest easy, my friend, and I hope you brought your records. Oh, and thanks SO MUCH for turning me on to Ellen McIlwaine. -Chuck Carlino

Charles (Chuck) Carlino

February 24, 2016

My condolences to the love ones, friends and colleagues of Michele Faye Kort. May she rest in peace. Sending prayers for comfort.

Lorraine Currelley

July 28, 2015

I am in Los Angeles right now, July 15th. I planned my trip, in part, to visit my best Woman's Building bud, Michele Kort. In the mid 1970s I help Michele produce her first offset artist book titled "Some of My Friends." It is a beautiful bookpartially in her own handwriting about the push and tug of a strong friendship. And right now, I am very much missing my friend, Michele. You lived a very good life. Always your friend.

Cindy Marsh

July 16, 2015

I will forever be indebted to Michele for her wonderful biography of Laura Nyro. Such a gift. I am very sorry for your loss.

Lori Anderson

July 13, 2015

I never met Michele, but as a Laura Nyro fan I was anxious to purchase Soul Picnic, and it's a treasured part of my library. I hope her friends and family will take comfort in the good she did in her life.

John Bell

July 7, 2015

Sorry to see this. To her family & friends. Stay strong. May she rest in the house of God !

Msry Ellen Riff

July 7, 2015

Brad Williams

July 4, 2015

I was saddened to learn of Michele's untimely death. While we never met, a few years ago she published my first blog post, called Are You a Lucy Stoner?, on the Ms. blog, and I was thrilled. She made sensitive edits and wrote, "Adorable!", when I sent the photo of me and my daughter. She was kind, compassionate, funny, smart, and I am glad our paths crossed, briefly. (She accepted a total of 5 blog posts and I was ecstatic about this honor.O

Elizabeth Titus

July 1, 2015

Elizabeth Titus

July 1, 2015

I'm so incredibly sorry to know this news. Michele was one of my first editors, and one of my favorite editors. She was funny, and fair, and thoughtful in the best way. I am stunned, and will miss her very much.

July 1, 2015

Dear Miriam, in arriving back from Mexico Sat. night, we are so sorry that we didn't think to look up when the memorial for Michele was. Wish we had been there. Love, Ron and Benida

Ron and Benida Grant

June 30, 2015

Miriam, Patricia and I wish you peace of heart and mind at this sad time. We always looked forward to seeing Michele and you at Susan and Liz's gatherings. I'm grateful for the many writing discussions Michele and I would have. She was a great light which won't be forgotten.

Marcia Wilkie

June 29, 2015

My deepest condolences to your family and dear friends. Only a soul as sweet and loving as you could have written the book on my beloved Laura Nyro...you will be missed more than words can say. RIP.

Nydia Mata

June 29, 2015

So sorry to know that Michele has passed. I send healing and comfort to you, Miriam, and to all who knew her. She was a fabulous editor and took a chance on me when I sent her my first essay for the Ms. blog. She was a supporter of my work and so sharp, funny and professional. A true gem. I had the privilege of meeting her when she went on a book tour for the book she coedited, Here Come the Brides. I'll hold her spirit close as I continue to write, break silences and speak truths. She would want that.

Leslie Absher

June 29, 2015

Dear Miriam, so sorry for your loss. As a budding young feminist and journalist at UCLA, I read Michele's articles as a "younger sister" looking up to her. Many years later I had the pleasure of meeting her in person and our lives intersected for a few years. Wishing you healing and peace.

Corinne Lightweaver

June 29, 2015

We just learned about Michele. We are so so sad to read about Michele. What a strong and brilliant woman. And to the whole family, her partner, and friends, our deepest sympathy.

The Whites

June 29, 2015

Michele welcomed me as a sister-feminist women's sports writer and friend in the mid-eighties, when it seemed there were only two of us focusing on female athletes. She was supportive, fun, interested in my work, and always eager to discuss writing, sports, women, and love. By being so open, she modeled professionalism and collegiality when I was young and knew nothing about such things. I'll always remember her fondly, and will celebrate her courageous life along with the momentous Supreme Court marriage-equality ruling each day on June 26. To her close friends and family: Deep condolences.

Mariah Burton Nelson

June 29, 2015

We mourn with you. A loved one lost can grieve the heart, and make us yearn for tomorrow, When God will keep the promise he made of no pain, no death, and no sorrow. My prayers are with you and your family.

June 29, 2015

Dear Michele, You once asked me which was my favorite Laura Nyro song and then you told me yours. I know that somewhere tonight Laura is singing all of those songs just to you. My sincere condolences for you Miriam. Even though I only met you once at your home, I saw the wonderful energy you and Michele shared.

Richard Tominsky

June 28, 2015

I never got to meet Michele Kort. It's been a decades-long genealogical detective story to surface the clues linking her branch of the American Korts to my own.

Barry Kort

June 28, 2015

I was so sorry I wasn't able to be at her service today. It's a great loss. I worked at Ms. for a period with Michele and then she was my editor as I contributed to the blog. Her warmth, razor-sharp wit and humor, and incredible smile were all treasures. The feminist movement has lost a great ally, and so many individuals, the joy she naturally shared. My sympathies to her family, and all who knew her. Thinking of her strong spirit and how it inspired.

Elline Lipkin

June 28, 2015

My deepest sympathy, Miriam.

Marketa Sivek

June 28, 2015

Condolences to the many family and friends of Michele. She is missed so much. I met Michele at UCLA in 1968. She instantly impressed me with her love and knowledge of music, her fine wit, loyal friendship, spirited ways, and kindness. Thank you for everything Michele. You left us far too soon.

Marilyn Skipper

June 28, 2015

To Michele's loved ones-- I was very sorry to hear of her passing. I knew of Michele through her sensitive biography and articles about Laura Nyro, and the occasional posts she contributed to the Facebook page about Ms. Nyro. I felt like I was only just getting to know her in some way, when I saw the news. Very sad. Bless you all.

Brad Williams

June 28, 2015

Thank you for making my job infinitely easier. I'll miss working with you.

Miriam Jacobson

June 28, 2015

I knew and worked with Michele at Songwriter magazine in the early 1980s. She made me feel welcome there and helped to mentor me in the art and craft of music journalism. Michele was a noble spirit, a kind friend and a born fighter. We shared a mutual adoration of Laura Nyro and fascination with Judee Sill. I recall her talent, tenacity, high idealism and passion for life. She left us much too soon.

Barry Alfonso

June 28, 2015

Miriam: I'm so sorry I was unable to attend the service today. Michele was such a kind, generous, giving person. I can see how many lives she touched by all the amazing Facebook posts. I enjoyed the times we got together so much, and the conversations I had with Michele. I remember once when I was going through a very difficult time, she spent over an hour on the phone with me, comforting me and giving me ideas on how to cope. I've been so glad that I've been able to follow your and Michele's lives through Facebook over these last several years. Please know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you peace and love.

Jackie Naiditch

June 28, 2015

Michele was such a wonderful woman...and so whip-smart funny! I will miss her wit. She was always so kind to me, and I'm glad to have had the chance to work with her through Journalism & Women Symposium and WAM! LA events. She will be sorely missed by so many. My condolences to her family and loved ones.

Janice Rhoshalle Littlejohn

June 28, 2015

We will miss this wonderful, talented, kind friend. So glad to be a part of Soul Picnic. Laura should be singing to you now.

Anne K Johnson

June 28, 2015

Thinking of you Michele...

Bergen Rose

June 28, 2015

Thank you Michele for our years of friendship sending love & blessings...

Bergen Rose

June 28, 2015

Thinking of you now and sorry I can't attend your memorial. Thank you for everything.

Chella Quint

June 28, 2015

Thank you for taking me to see Martina and Chris play tennis so many years ago. And, more deeply, thank you for your kindness and care of my then besotted heart.

Kathleen Brady

June 28, 2015

Thank you Michele, for everything I learned from you. You made a difference in who I became, when I was young, and reconnecting with you later in life has made a difference in who I will be from here on out. Sending love to you and yours. Lynn

Lynn McGee

June 28, 2015

We met through research for the Nyro book. We continued as friends through love of Dusty and other music and became mutual fans. Glad I got to see you this year; glad we were friends, so sorry to see you go. RIP

Will Porter

June 28, 2015

Miriam: I don't think I ever met Michele, but we were Ms. Magazine colleagues and I admired her work. She was a valiant pioneer in a movement that was led by writer/activists. West Coast feminism owes her a huge debt. Knowing all the good she did in her time has to be some small comfort to you. Wishing you the best, CLAUDIA DREIFUS, NEW YORK CITY

Claudia Dreifus

June 28, 2015

I'm glad I got to meet you and talk a bit about our favorite subject : Laura. Rest in peace my friend

Stephen Nicholas

June 28, 2015

RIP,fellow spots and music lover

Laney Greenberg

June 28, 2015

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