Philanthropist Marjorie Platt, 98

LONGTIME LOS ANGELES philanthropist Marjorie Platt died July 11 of complications from COVID-19. She was 98. 

During her 60-year marriage to Herman Platt, they donated their time, money and skills to religious and medical organizations, including Sinai Temple, Mount Sinai Memorial Parks, Vista Del Mar, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, the United Jewish Fund, the Jewish Home for the Aging, the City of Hope and the UCLA Foundation. Marjorie Platt was a founder and major fundraiser for the University of Judaism in Los Angeles (now American Jewish University), where she and her husband endowed the Marjorie and Herman Platt Art Gallery.

Platt served as Sisterhood Chair for Sinai Temple. She was a longtime member and played golf at Hillcrest Country Club, where her father-in-law was a founding member.

Platt was born Dec. 24, 1921, in Baltimore, the second daughter of Frederick and Doris Cerf. In  1928, her family, which included older sister Jean, relocated to Los Angeles, where her father eventually owned an automobile repair shop  and her mother, a book critic, held public book reviews at L.A department stores.

Platt began a career in sales in women’s wear at the May Company department stores in 1938. Her family said she had exceptional organization skills, a friendly demeanor and excellent taste in clothing. Within five years she became the buyer for her department.

In 1943, she met Herman Platt, whose Platt Music Co. provided the music in all May Company stores. They married in 1945 and had two daughters, Nancy and Cynthia, and raised them with Herman’s older children, Ken, Steve and Susan.

Platt is survived by daughters Nancy (Len) Platt Jacoby and Cynthia (Michael) Platt Flagg; stepdaughter Susan (Jack) Platt Baggley; 16 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren. Two stepsons, Steve (Barbara) and Ken, predeceased her.

The family has asked that any memorial donations be sent to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. Gifts may be made online giving.cedars-sinai.edu/donate, by phone at (323) 866-7763 or mailed to Board of Governors, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Suite 2416, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Please note that the gift is in memory of Marjorie Platt n