Leah A. Halem

Halem, Leah A. Age 90, of Edina. Born in New York to Isaac and Pauline Albert, immigrants from Lithuania, Leah grew up in New York and received her B.A. from Brooklyn College of the City of New York. She leaves her husband and best friend of 68 years, Sydney Halem, and her children Robert Halem, Laura Cooper and Elizabeth Sternberg. Throughout World War II as Syd was assigned as a navigator to Army Air Corps bases that were in the U.S., she moved with him to 7 states and at one point worked as a bazooka inspector. After the war they settled in Northern California and in 1950 relocated to Los Angeles. Leah was an elementary school teacher and reading specialist for the Los Angeles Unified School District and taught reading pedagogy at Cal State University, Northridge. In retirement, as a volunteer, she taught English- as-a-Second-Language to immigrants, establishing friendships with her students and taking pride in their achievements. Leah lived in Encino, California, until her move to Edina in 2005. Leah enjoyed international travel, attending the theatre, keeping up on political news, and spending time with friends and family. Memorials preferred to Brooklyn College. Washburn-McReavy Edina Chapel 952-920-3996