Ophelia H. Zeff

1934 - 2025

Fifi Zeff passed away on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 at the age of 91, at home, surrounded by her family. An attorney and longtime Sacramento resident, she was born in Illinois on Aug. 19, 1934, and moved with her family as a toddler first to Stockton, then to Sacramento, where she graduated from Sacramento High School, Sacramento City College, Sacramento State College, and McGeorge School of Law, where she was an editor of the Law Review. Her law career included representing labor unions, state and local agencies, and a solo private practice in Woodland. In retirement, she volunteered her time for Legal Aid, and was awarded the California State Bar's Pro Bono Service Award in 2015. A proud Democrat and member of the League of Women Voters, she was active in local and state politics throughout her adult life. She served as school board president in Vallejo, ran for the state Senate in Woodland, and served on Democratic Central Committee. Fifi is survived by her four children, Sally, Betsy, Ellen and Adam, and seven grandchildren, as well as her younger brother, Stan Gurvis. She was preceded in death by her late husband John Davis, who died in 2023 at the age of 98; and her first husband David, who died in 2019 at the age of 90, as well as her younger sister Adrienne Bloom, who died in 2021. She was a fierce advocate who gave stubbornness a good name. Fifi would like to share this message: Vote YES on Prop. 50.