Miriam “Mimi” Perloff
October 29, 1914 - January 21, 2010
by Joanne Knopoff

Mimi Perloff died on January 21, 2010, at her home in Westwood at the age of 95.  A remarkable woman, she accomplished a great deal in her life, with flair and with a winning personality that won her a huge number of friends, including many well-known people in the arts. 

Mimi was co-founder with Blanche Witherspoon about 40 years ago of UCLA Design for Sharing, an organization that continues today to provide theater-going experiences at UCLA for children in the LA City Schools and for people in community organizations who otherwise would not have such an opportunity.  Mimi came to UCLA with her husband, Harvey Perloff, when he was appointed founding dean of the UCLA School of Architecture and Urban Planning. 

In 2004 the Department of Urban Planning and the School of Public Affairs hosted a celebration honoring Mimi Perloff on her 90th birthday.  As wife of the late Harvey Perloff, Dean of the former Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Mimi was recognized as the "godmother" of the Departments of Urban Planning and Architecture. She was lauded as co-founder of Design for Sharing, and recognized for her generous contributions to the UCLA Medical Center and the Los Angeles community at large. (The photo at right shows her wearing a "tiara" with good humor at the event.)  She received a proclamation from the City of Los Angeles, and a distinguished roster of speakers sang her praises.

Mimi remained extraordinarily creative and keenly interested in her organizations all her life.  Having worked with her in Design for Sharing for decades, I saw how Mimi, remarkably, would not only think up an idea for a new kind of event, but also make sure that it was carried out, until very recently doing a major part of the planning herself. Hers was a life of extraordinary accomplishment.

We extend our sincere condolences to her sons, Gregg and Jeffrey and their families, and to her extended family.