TO: College Community

FROM: Dr. Piedad F. Robertson
Superintendent/President

RE: Service for Ilona Jo Katz

It is with deep, deep sadness that I inform you that Santa Monica College -- and the entire community -- have lost a treasure. Trustee Ilona Jo Katz passed away Wednesday in her home, with her husband Herb and daughter Dana by her side -- three days before what would have been her 67th birthday.

To many in the community, and, indeed, the state, Ilona Jo Katz was Santa Monica College. She had been on the board since 1977 (when it governed both the local unified and college districts) and served as board chair four times. She was recognized as a statewide education leader, serving 10 years on the Board of Directors of the California Community College Trustees, including one year as president. She was active with the PTA, YMCA and many other community and education organizations for more than 30 years.

But beyond the impressive record of public service, Ilona Jo Katz was a woman of deep devotion to our students and employees. She wasn't just a friend to Santa Monica College, she was its No. 1 cheerleader. She was a friendly face at countless student activities, cultural programs, athletic events and special celebrations. She never missed a graduation ceremony. When the college was facing harsh financial difficulties, she volunteered to register students in the Admissions Office. She was a friend, a mentor, a role model.

Her enormous commitment to disabled students is perhaps her most poignant and lasting legacy. Both her sons were blind because of a rare form of eye cancer and both died before reaching adulthood. But Ilona Jo Katz made sure her sons would get the best education. She championed programs for disabled children in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District -- at a time when schools were only just beginning to pay attention to the needs of special populations. And she continued to be an advocate of accessibility -- one time even making sure college administrators spent a day in wheelchairs to maneuver around campus.

Ilona Jo Katz turned the heartbreaking tragedies of her life into gifts for others. And she did it with passion and vision.

She had heart. She had strength. And she used those to our advantage.

She never gave up. As her husband Herb said, "Ilona never knew anything but fighting. They'd get her on the mat and she'd just get up again, ready for the next battle." To her last breath, she was fighting.

Ilona also had hats. Lots of hats. And she knew how to wear them -- with great panache. They were her trademark -- and she knew it.

For her community service, she had been honored by the Santa Monica Lions Club, the Santa Monica Mayor, the YMCA (YMCA Family of the Year), the YWCA, the California PTA, and more.

Ilona Jo Katz also loved music. And she put her money into that love, establishing a music scholarship fund at Santa Monica High School in memory of her sons Gregg and Glenn and a music scholarship fund at Santa Monica College in her daughter's name, Dana Katz Wood. Her children's musical talents were one of her joys. And that devotion to music education continues, with the establishment of the Music Chair of Excellence in her name.

Ilona leaves a gaping hole in the fabric of this college, of this community. Goodbye, dear friend.