Muriel Ziffren, 86: Five Decades of Work for Others

Author, philanthropist and political activist Muriel "Mickey" Ziffren, whose work on behalf of charity and culture spanned more than five decades, has died at age 86 of natural causes.

She helped create Phoenix House, LA's BEST (Better Educated Students for Tomorrow) and the Neighbors of Watts program; a Democrat and former member of the California Fair Political Practices commission, she also wrote "A Political Affair," a well reviewed novel which appeared in 1979.

She is survived by two grandchildren as well as daughter Toni and son John, an award-winning producer (The Larry Sanders Show and other programs), who has logged years of volunteer work and leadership on behalf of the Television Academy.

Funeral arrangments were private. The family asked that any donations in her memory go to LA's BEST.