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LOIS ROSENTHAL Obituary

ROSENTHAL--Lois, 75, on July 20, 2014, died peacefully. She is survived by her husband Richard, their children Jennie (Allan) Berliant and David, her grandchildren Elizabeth and Andrew Berliant and Eva and Mae Rosenthal, and her brother Harvey (Mary) Reis. An activist, environmentalist, supporter and participant in organizations that defended the oppressed, the hungry, and the disadvantaged, she initiated many programs and activities. From the Ohio Innocence Project which has exonerated 17 wrongfully convicted people, to the Fresh Produce initiative at the Freestore Foodbank, and the Rosey Reader Program which has provided books to over 30,000 Cincinnati Public School children, grades K-3, to foster a love of reading, to her creation of Uptown Arts which provides free classes in art, music, acting and dance to five-ten year old city kids. During Lois' 28-year tenure on the board of the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, she and her husband established the Rosenthal New Play Prize which produced 15 world premier productions, several nominated both for the Pulitzer Prize and produced in New York. As a member of the Board of the Cincinnati Art Museum, Lois and Dick endowed the museum to allow free admission in perpetuity. Lois was also a member of the Board of The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center. There, once again drawing on her compassion for those with little or no voice, she envisioned, championed and funded Invisible: Slavery Today, the world's first museum-quality, permanent exhibition on the subjects of modern-day slavery and human trafficking. Along the way, Lois wrote a weekly consumer column for the Cincinnati Enquirer for 10 years, had a call-in radio show, and wrote features for several national magazines. Among her seven books, Living Better was a Book of the Month Club selection. Lois relaunched Story magazine in 1989 with her husband. In five of the 10 years she edited Story, it was nominated for the National Magazine Award for short fiction. In two of those years Story won the prestigious award. Like the founders of Story-- Whit Burnet and Martha Foley-- who first published the works of today's marquis writers, Lois first published stories by Juno Diaz, Elizabeth Graver and Nathan Englander among others. Mother, wife, friend to many, Lois Rosenthal transformed organizations, intellectually and with creative determination. We're all better for her high standards, her dynamic personality, the impact she made on so many lives, and her contagious enthusiasm for doing good.

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Published by New York Times on Jul. 21, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for LOIS ROSENTHAL

34 Entries

sue denney

August 12, 2014

Dick

I just learned of Lois' passing tonight. I am so sorry. My year's at F+W were some of the best. My thoughts and prayers are with you and David and Jennie. What a sad time for Cincinnati. GOD bless.

Terry Stephens

August 10, 2014

A friend is gone. I miss her and will always treasure the friendship, conversations, and her just being Lois.

Vicky Morgan-Fickett

August 3, 2014

Wow! What a spark! I saw the quiet, serene Lois who loved and sought rejuvination in Maine. IP will miss you. Peace & hugs to your family.

William Taylor

August 3, 2014

August 2, 2014

Dear Rosenthals,

This is Bill Taylor from front beach, Indian Point, Georgetown. At the annual meeting of the Indian Point Association yesterday a neighbor gave us the sad, sad news that Lois died last month. I want you to know that Lois's presence touched people here, including me, in ways that would not be obvious to people who know her in Cincinnati and others who will read the heartfelt appreciations of her contributions to your city.

It was always a pleasure to see Lois, often with Dick, strolling along front beach and stopping for a short nap or conversation with neighbors--a sure sign of summer and why we all enjoy being here. When we did not see her this year, I knew something was wrong. Our brief conversations on the beach were memorable to me for Lois's good will, positive outlook, and her joy in small pleasures at the shore and beyond. She didn't talk about personal accomplishments, the museum of contemporary art or the endowment that makes admission to Cincinnati's art museum free to the public, or the innocence project, or her and Dick's generosity to the local community here in Georgetown. (I learned about these good works in other ways.) She did talk—animatedly—about her delight in participating in the children's art programs at the museum, the good company of dogs, Story magazine, her friendship with Oscar Robertson (my basketball hero as a boy), and her love for her family. Each time we talked brightened my day and made me feel that there were good things I needed to be doing. Lois seemed to do them all. She is missed here and will be remembered, with pleasure and gratitude as well as longing.

Judith and Glenn Yancey

July 29, 2014

I never realized what an accomplished and generous person Lois was. You are both in our prayers

Angelyn Krauss

July 28, 2014

What gifts Lois gave to the people of Cincinnati, and to anyone who visited, were inspired by, or learned through all of the many venues she supported. We have been so blessed by her presence on this earth.

Arzell Nelson

July 24, 2014

SHE WAS A WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL PERSON THAT CONTRIBUTED TO SOCIETY IN SO MANY POSITIVE WAYS. SHE WAS TRUE A HUMANITARIAN.
SHE WAS ALWAYS NICE TO ME..... R.I.P. LOIS... ONE <3 LOVE

Arzell Nelson

July 24, 2014

SHE WAS A WONDERFUL AND BEAUTIFUL PERSON THAT CONTRIBUTED TO SOCIETY IN SO MANY POSITIVE WAYS. SHE WAS TRUE A HUMANITARIAN.
SHE WAS ALWAYS NICE TO ME..... R.I.P. LOIS... ONE <3 LOVE

Thisbe Nissen

July 23, 2014

What an extraordinary life! Thank you, Lois, for everything.

Hester Kaplan

July 23, 2014

I had not been in touch with Lois for a number of years, but she was such a huge influence on my writing. She taught me how to write bravely and say what I wanted to say. She was the toughest and best editor and supporter a writer could have. My deepest condolences to her family and friends.

Elizabeth Graver

July 22, 2014

I was saddened to hear of Lois' passing. She was responsible for my first short story getting published many years ago, and she remained an enormous supporter of my work. I have lovely memories of visiting her and Richard in Maine and in Ohio. What a wonderful woman, a champion of so many different kinds of voices. My thoughts are with her family.
Warm wishes,
Elizabeth Graver

Julie Crossen

July 22, 2014

Thank you Lois Rosenthal for all of your work. You will be missed.

Karen Gossage

July 22, 2014

My thoughts and prayers are with the Rosenthal family. I knew Lois while working at F@ W. She was a wonderfully talented editor. And it is apparent she was so much more to so many. Rest in peace.

Christopher Roth

July 22, 2014

Dear Mrs. Rosenthal,
Thank you for all that you have done for our Queen City and all of us who are lucky enough to call Cincinnati home. You will live on in us through your kindness for generations to come.

Bill Gallagher

July 21, 2014

Thank You Lois for your dedication and donations of time and money to the causes of the oppressed and poor. Your support of the arts and efforts to make them more accessible to the young and others is inspiring. I hope and need for someone to take up where you left off. Peace

Robin Green

July 21, 2014

RIP Lois Rosenthal you will be truly missed thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family.

Robin Green

July 21, 2014

To Mrs. Rosenthal you will be truly missed. Uptown Arts has been greatly appreciated by my family it has helped my daughter in so many ways. Your memory will live on forever. To the Rosenthal family my condolences goes out to you all.

waver

July 21, 2014

SHE was a treasure, so FULL of Life...

Cecilia (Ceil) (Ruff) Curee

July 21, 2014

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Lois. She was a wonderful person that has done so much for the city of Cincinnati. I worked with the Rosenthal family at F&W Publishing for many years. It was my pleasure to have known the family. Dick, & family I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts & prayers are with you always.

Diane Douglass

July 21, 2014

To the Rosenthal family, The legacy left to the city of Cincinnati will live forever in the many lives she has touched so beautifully.

Mike Cureton

July 21, 2014

Mrs. Rosenthal was a giant among giants. She is a standard of excellence for current and future givers to emulate. I pray for peace to the family and the knowledge that this world is better because of people like Lois.

young

July 21, 2014

May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.

Aryeh Lev Stollman

July 21, 2014

Lois Rosenthal was splendid. She was a marvelous person who gave so much love, encouragement and opportunity to so many people in so many ways. She will always be remembered.
Condolences to her husband Richard and entire family.

Jane Kammer Habig

July 21, 2014

I produced for Mrs. Rosenthal at WCKY radio in 1983. She was a delight and very informative to her listeners and readers. Thanks to her and Dr. Rosenthal, the arts stand high in Greater Cincy and N.Ky. May you find comfort in your fond memories of a stalwart in the community.

Sue Spurgeon

July 21, 2014

My mother, Jamie Sue Spurgeon, knew Lois from the Enquirer and other organizations, and was very fond of her. Cincinnati, and all of the people she touched, has lost a great friend.

Neeta Johnson

July 21, 2014

Although Lois Rosenthal was not a personal friend of mine, she was a fellow Cincinnatian whose generosity made our city a bright, artistic, and kinder place to be. For that, I am grateful, and will consider her passing to be my personal loss, too. Condolences to her family.

July 21, 2014

To the Rosenthal Family,
I, like so many other students, would not have been able to experience a year-long fellowship with the Ohio Innocence Project without the vision of Lois Rosenthal. In addition to exonerating 17 innocent people, Lois' generosity allowed so many law students to flourish and realize that the impossible is obtainable. Although I only heard Lois speak to the Innocence Project once, her actions affected my life greatly. Sincerely, Kate Rooney Lyaker

Lisa Baggerman Hazen

July 21, 2014

I have such fond memories of Lois from the days I worked for F&W. Such an inspiring person.

July 21, 2014

I'm sorry for your loss. Soon death will be brought to nothing. (1 Corinthians 15:26)

Wylie Howell

July 21, 2014

My deepest condolences to Dr. Rosenthal and the entire family. Lois was very dear to me in so many ways. She loved the arts and excellence! My teaching was brought to a higher level because of her influence.
Wylie G. Howell

Anne Hevener

July 21, 2014

My condolences to Dick, and to Jennie and David and your families. I didn't know Lois well, but I have always admired her as a Force for Good. I will be thinking of you all at this sad time.

July 21, 2014

Lois was an exemplary individual. Through her support of the arts,her love of children and her ongoing support of so many charitable institutions she will be well remembered. My heart goes out to her equally wonderful and compassionate husband in this time of loss. May God Bless and keep you. Robert VieBrooks

Joe Lewin

July 21, 2014

Dick,

So sorry to hear this news. My thoughts are with you and your family.

John Jones

July 21, 2014

I will always remember Lois as a very special lady who loved the arts. She greatly influenced my love of the Arts to the next level. My deepest regrets to Richard and the entire family on this great loss.

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