Helen Greenberg, Democratic Party Activist, Is Dead at 77
Helen Greenberg, a longtime Van Nuys political and community activist, died of natural causes Wednesday at Sherman Oaks Community Hospital. She was 77.
Greenberg, a resident of Van Nuys since 1923, served on the State Democratic Committee for 20 years and was a member of the County Commission for Human Relations during the late 1960s. Greenberg also worked in Mayor Tom Bradley’s 1985 re-election campaign.
She was the wife of Sam Greenberg, a 12-year member of the Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners and owner of Sam’s U-Drive Rentals in Van Nuys. Both Greenbergs have long been active in Democratic Party politics.
In November of 1984, Helen Greenberg was chosen by Secretary of State March Fong Eu for a one-year term as an acting secretary of state. The position, which was developed during the Cold War era, allowed a secretary of state to name up to seven successors, one of which would take over the governmental position if the official were killed during a nuclear attack.
Greenberg is survived by her husband; her four children, Sonia Feder, Jill Stephens, Lynne Safier and Steve Greenberg; a sister, Zella Huffaker; a brother, Ralph Malcolm; and nine grandchildren.
Private graveside services will be held Saturday. A memorial celebration will be held at her home at 3 p.m.
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