Ojai loses patron
saint of arts
By Jesse Phelps

Despite her diminutive stature, Charlotte Bronstein was a towering figure in the valley and an inspiration to generations of youth.
When she passed away early Tuesday morning, the effects rippled like an earthquake across the Ojai Valley.

She and husband Alvin moved to the Ojai Valley nearly 25 years ago when, daughter Susan Bronstein said, they were ready to retire. Of course, as the many people of Ojai who knew and loved her will attest, "retire" was a relative term for Charlotte.

Soon after moving to Ojai, Bronstein began working with children, teaching them the art of acting and hosting storytelling sessions at the Ojai Library. Over the course of the next two and a half decades, she inspired innumerable kids of the valley to read, to listen and to follow their passions.

Even when Bronstein was diagnosed with lung cancer and given an estimate of six months to live in August 2002, she didn't miss a beat. Friends said Bronstein decided that, rather then go through treatment that could limit her ability to speak or participate in activities, she would push on, remain active and continue to work with the kids she so dearly loved.

Her last work was a school production at Mira Monte School just before the end of last school year.

That vitality was a hallmark of the Charlotte Bronstein known so well throughout the community of Ojai. On any given day, she could be seen walking here or there and friends say she wouldn't accept a ride.
"I'd offer her a ride and she'd say, 'Oh no,'" remembers Laura Peck. "Just the sight of her walking made all of us want to be like her."
Peck said many people could claim a beautiful friendship with Bronstein. "I was one of about a million. She made everybody feel that they were her best friend," she said. "She cheerfully gave her energy all over the county. She watched children at storytelling grow from babes in arms all the way to adults."

Those storytelling sessions at the Ojai library were the stuff of legend. Bronstein was so dedicated to her volunteer duties there, said the library's Kit Willis, that eventually the staff decided to hire her officially.
"She was here all the time so we just hired her. Even on the days she wasn't working she stopped in. She was so supportive and uplifting," said Willis. "She inspired many young people and I've seen some of them come back as grownups, as adults, and there is such a connection, such love. It's just like they're seeing as superstar when they see her. She made such a difference in so many lives. Kids found themselves - she empowered them and sent them on their way."

Willis said Bronstein was also dedicated to networking like-minded people for the benefit of the community. "Personally, she connected me," Willis said. "She made sure that her friends knew each other, especially where they could help each other professionally. Lots of money has flowed in for the library expansion project because of Charlotte. That's just one example - there are just so many."

In addition to her love for kids and her friends, her philanthopy and her ability to network, Bronstein was probably best known as a talented performer. Celebrated as a Rotary Club Living Treasure, she acted in numerous productions throughout the years, most recently in several productions at Theater 150.

Bronstein's most recent performances included roles in "'Night Mother," "The Vagina Monologues," "The Whole Banana," and an anniversary performance of "The Human Chain" in honor of victims of the Sept. 11 attacks.

"Theater was a lifelong passion for her," said Bronstein's daughter. "We all have our passions, as if somehow we're born with a certain sense of things that we love. Her aunt used to take her to the opera and I'm sure things like that cont of theater."

Ojai named Bronstein as its Citizen of the Year in 1995 and she also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in the Arts. In addition, the National Women's Political Caucus selected her as one of its 11 women of the yerar for 2003.

She was involved in so many activities throughout the town, and was partially responsible for the creation of the Ojai Shakespeare Festival.
"She was a Renaissance woman. She was very independent and she was her own person. She was Bohemian. She went away to college, lived in New York - which probably didn't thrill her parents - wore black lipstick, the whole deal. I'm so proud of her and so proud to be her daughter," said Susan.

Bronstein's lung cancer eventually metasticized, spreading to her liver and brain this year. Still, without treatment and with her trademark vitality, Bronstein continued to be a leader in the community.

She finally succumbed Tuesday morning at 6:57 a.m. triggering an outpouring of rememberances and emotion throughout the town.
"We've been overwhelmed with response, even when she was still here," said Susan. "It's been an amazing outpouring. I'm totally overwhelmed by the love being felt from this communtiy at this time. I'm sure my mother was too."

"I feel so blessed, so lucky, to have known her and to have had her support of the library and me personally," said Willis. "What a gift. And I'm just one of thousands of people that feels that way. She was quite an inspiration."

In the library courtyard, a new area will be called Charlotte's Arbor. "There will be a majestic chair where the storyteller will sit and we'll remember what she did for all these children all these years. She thought they were doing her a favor," Peck said.

The children and former children of Ojai, so many gifted with Bronstein's wit, talent and care, know it was the other way around.
Bronstein would have celebrated her 85th birthday on Nov. 14. She is survived by her daughter Susan, son Phil and husband of 60 years, Alvin. Services are being planned for next month.

© 2003 The Ojai Valley News

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