Francine Oschin

Francine Oschin, 81 of Encino, California, passed away on Friday, September 20, 2024, following a surgery she was hopeful would repair challenging health issues she had been facing over the past two years. Francine will be remembered by all as civic and community leader, an avid outdoors adventurer and world traveler, and most of all as a loving Mom, Grandma, Daughter, Sister, and dear friend to so many.

She is survived by her sister Audrey and brother-in-law Brian, her brother Louis, her son Daniel and daughter-in-law Faryl, her daughter Karen and son-in-law Jeff, her daughter Katherine and son-in-law Elliot, her son-in-law Mike Goodman, and her three grandchildren, Zachary, Jacqueline and Halayna. She was predeceased by her parents Albert and Goldie Strauss and her daughter Sheryl Goodman.

Francine Strauss was born March 20, 1943 in Brooklyn, New York and spent her childhood living on both coasts before her family finally settled in Los Angeles. She attended Fairfax High School, where she would meet her husband, Michael Oschin. They would soon have their four children, Sheryl, Daniel, Karen, and Katherine, who were the lights of her life. After traveling to Hawaii and falling in love with the island, they moved their young family there in 1974 and raised their children among the palm trees, beaches, and tropical weather for nearly ten years. Francine never lost her love for the islands and visited frequently throughout her life.

The greatest joy of Francine's life was raising her family and being an outstanding mother and grandmother. For most, that would have been sufficient, but Francine decided to enter into a remarkable second act of her life.

At the age of 40, after successfully battling breast cancer, Francine enrolled at California State University Northridge (CSUN). After graduating with two Bachelor degrees and a Masters degree with honors, she dove into community work improving education, transportation, the environment, women's rights, and Jewish life across the city, state and country. She worked initially as a journalist, before being hired as Assistant Chief Deputy to Councilman Hal Bernson. She served the City of Los Angeles in that role for 13 years and led projects across transportation, civic life, and public safety. In the decades following, she was an active member and served on the boards of numerous organizations including the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, The Soraya Performing Arts Center, The Sierra Club, The League of Women Voters Los Angeles, The California Democratic Central Committee, Move LA, Metrolink, The Women's Transportation Coalition, The Jewish Home for the Aging, Valley Performing Arts Center, the Local Agency Formation Commission of Los Angeles County, as well as well the LA County Beach Commission of which she was Chair. She was deeply passionate about ensuring all Angelenos could receive the same access to public education that she did and was deeply involved at CSUN; she served in various moments as the President of the Alumni Board, the Director of Legislative Advocacy and as a member of the State CSU Alumni Council. While dedicating time to these various social causes, she also built her own consulting firm, Oschin Partners, where she worked for over 20 years with businesses and governments to develop and improve transportation solutions across California.



Francine's love of life led her to begin traveling the world on her own, with her children, with friends, and eventually with her grandchildren. She treasured being outdoors and exploring nature in California, Hawaii, and abroad. She took up skiing, and quickly became a downhill slalom champion and was flying down the slopes at Mammoth Mountain well into her late 70s. She was a Sierra Club leader who hiked, backpacked, mule-packed, and camped across the California mountains. She shared her enthusiasm for the outdoors with her grandchildren, who grew up discovering nature with her on numerous trips. Francine traveled to dozens of countries around the world with her family and friends and never stopped exploring. Until the end, she was always dreaming of where she would travel next.

When Francine put her mind to something she was an unstoppable force. She was never daunted to learn something new, to take on an adventure on her own, and to live her life to the fullest even when confronted with numerous hardships. Whether it was making latkes and chicken soup for her family, climbing a glacier-topped peak, or debating transportation policy in City Hall, she took on every challenge with dedication, love, and ambition. She was a woman who achieved so much for herself, for her family, and for others and yet always remained humble. She was truly a remarkable woman who lived a beautiful and full life. She will live on forever in the hearts and memories of her family and friends who loved her.

Those wishing to honor Francine's memory may donate to LAJ Health. We also ask that you share any special photos or memories you have with Francine by emailing them to francineoschinmemorial@gmail.com to be compiled into a memorial book.