Irene Kleinberg

1928 – 2024

Irene Kleinberg, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on December 29, 2024 at the age of 96.

Born in 1928, Irene grew up in Los Angeles, California the daughter of Victor and Mary-Frances and sister to Victor Jr. and Frances. Her childhood in depression era Los Angeles left a deep impression on her, but never dampened her spirits or work ethic. She excelled as a student attending UCLA and then moving on to become a teacher. In 1960, Irene was introduced to Marvin Kleinberg, a fellow UCLA alum who shared her love of art, education, culture, and community building. The two were married in 1962. Irene and Marvin were inseparable, enjoying 62 remarkable years together, living in their home on Cody Road together until 2021, then at Atria Tarzana, and finally moving to Portland Oregon in 2024 to enjoy time with their youngest grandchildren.

Irene held a lifelong commitment to education working with a group of parents to found The Open Magnet School in 1977 with the goal of providing a child-centered, meaningful and experiential educational program for their children. As one of the original magnet schools established to promote integration in the Los Angeles Unified School District, the Open School drew students from throughout the greater Los Angeles area. In the early 1980s, Irene became involved with the Windward School, developing a close friendship with the school’s founder Shirley Windward. She was a longtime member of the board of trustees joining in 1985 and serving as President from 1992-1997. During her tenure, she actively spearheaded multiple fundraising campaigns allowing the school to expand and create new facilities for students. In 1997, Windward recognized her service with the dedication of the Irene Kleinberg Theater, and awarded her a lifetime seat on their Board of Trustees.

Irene loved the theater and the arts. She and Marv were regular attendees at the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the L.A. Theater Center, and members of multiple Los Angeles museums. She had a great eye and surrounded her family with works of art, some from artists that went on to be well known, which hung on every wall of their home. She was also a passionate reader and lifelong learner who loved to engage in intellectual discussions about books, films, theater, and television whether through book clubs or informal conversations. There was no subject about which Irene did not have an opinion and she would definitely let you know it. In her later years she worked with UCLA alumnae/i organizing Gold Shield Art Adventures.

Irene and Marv’s home on Cody Road in Sherman Oaks became a hub for culture, hosting parties, dinners, and social events for Marv and Irene’s many friends, growing to include the friends and loved ones of their children as the years passed. As a hostess, Irene created memorable experiences whether it was a sit down dinner with the Fine Families, 12 Strangers as a UCLA Alumnus, wonderful celebrations of Holidays throughout the year, or legendary Birthday and Hanukkah parties. Her events were always filled with excellent food, good wines, great music, and the best company.

Irene never hesitated to open her home, whether it was slumber parties, when her children were young, welcoming a third son, Ciro Arbos, as an AFS exchange student, or providing a home when friends or family needed a safe place to land. Anyone fortunate enough to have lived under her roof enjoyed her famous Irene Cuisine, hospitality, care and motherly guidance for as long as they needed.

As a parent, Irene raised her three children, Sarah, Ethan and Joel to embody her values of love, integrity and humanism. Irene's gift as a parent was her ability to unconditionally love and support the choices not only of her children, but of the many young people that came to see her as a second mother over the years. Irene always expected the best of everyone, whatever was done should be done with commitment and excellence, this was the way she lived her own life and the example she set. She also cherished her grandchildren Lili, Ciaran, Noa, Maia, Eleanor, Nathan, and Sabine.

Irene is survived by her husband Marvin and her children Sarah, Ethan, and Joel.

A celebration of Irene's life will be held in Los Angeles in the summer of 2025. The family asks that in lieu of flowers a donation be made in Irene’s name to The Windward School Innovation Campaign https://campaign.windwardschool.org/tomorrows-campus/innovation-and-arts-center

Irene Kleinberg will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who were fortunate to know her.

May her memory be a blessing.