Born in Chicago in 1930, Berry was adopted by Joseph and Inez Eichenbaum at just five days old. When she was eight, her family moved to California, where her father worked as a real estate developer and her parents co-founded the Joseph K. and Inez Eichenbaum Foundation, which has since donated millions to charity. The family lived in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs, and Berry graduated from Beverly Hills High School. She was, at one time, a state bowling champion.
As the Eichenbaum’s only child, Berry eventually became president of their foundation. She endowed several projects, including the Joseph and Inez Eichenbaum Wellness Center at the Jewish Family Services in Los Angeles, and the Eichenbaum Laboratory of Alzheimer’s Disease at Tel-Aviv University.
But Berry had another passion: dance. As a toddler, she joined Merriel Abbott’s Chicago Baby Professionals, a classical dance studio. She later went on to dance with beloved stars like Sammy Davis, Jr., Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor, her personal favorite.
Berry’s love for dance remained throughout her life, both on stage and in her philanthropic work. For 24 years, she served as president of the Professional Dancers Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting dancers in need.
In 2019, she and her PDS successor, actress Mitzi Gaynor, were awarded the Medal of Honor from the Actor’s Fund in recognition of their organizations’ decades-long partnership. It was, Maitland-Lewis said, one of Berry’s proudest achievements.
Berry was also a founding member and former president of SHARE Inc., which works to improve the lives of developmentally disabled, abused and neglected children. She received that organization's Shining Spirit Award in 2019 in honor of her more than 60 years of service.
Berry’s first husband, Jody Berry, died in 2005, and she established the Jody Berry Theatre at RiverPark Center in Owensboro, Ky. in his memory. Berry met Maitland-Lewis, an author and attorney, at the Friars Club of Beverly Hills, and they were married in 2009.
And although Maitland-Lewis said he’s proud of his wife’s many achievements, it was the memory of their trips to the Satchmo SummerFest jazz festival in New Orleans, where they had a second home, that made him most tender.
Berry’s many years of philanthropy and volunteerism were also recognized by the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles and the City of Beverly Hills.
A prominent leader of several charitable and non-profit organizations in Los Angeles, Joni Berry died June 28 from complications of COVID-19. She was 89.
Joni Berry is survived by her husband; a son, Tony; stepchildren Douglas, Howard, Toby, Benjamin and Victoria; and five step-grandchildren.
As the Eichenbaum’s only child, Berry eventually became president of their foundation. She endowed several projects, including the Joseph and Inez Eichenbaum Wellness Center at the Jewish Family Services in Los Angeles, and the Eichenbaum Laboratory of Alzheimer’s Disease at Tel-Aviv University.
But Berry had another passion: dance. As a toddler, she joined Merriel Abbott’s Chicago Baby Professionals, a classical dance studio. She later went on to dance with beloved stars like Sammy Davis, Jr., Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor, her personal favorite.
Berry’s love for dance remained throughout her life, both on stage and in her philanthropic work. For 24 years, she served as president of the Professional Dancers Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting dancers in need.
In 2019, she and her PDS successor, actress Mitzi Gaynor, were awarded the Medal of Honor from the Actor’s Fund in recognition of their organizations’ decades-long partnership. It was, Maitland-Lewis said, one of Berry’s proudest achievements.
Berry was also a founding member and former president of SHARE Inc., which works to improve the lives of developmentally disabled, abused and neglected children. She received that organization's Shining Spirit Award in 2019 in honor of her more than 60 years of service.
Berry’s first husband, Jody Berry, died in 2005, and she established the Jody Berry Theatre at RiverPark Center in Owensboro, Ky. in his memory. Berry met Maitland-Lewis, an author and attorney, at the Friars Club of Beverly Hills, and they were married in 2009.
And although Maitland-Lewis said he’s proud of his wife’s many achievements, it was the memory of their trips to the Satchmo SummerFest jazz festival in New Orleans, where they had a second home, that made him most tender.
Berry’s many years of philanthropy and volunteerism were also recognized by the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles and the City of Beverly Hills.
A prominent leader of several charitable and non-profit organizations in Los Angeles, Joni Berry died June 28 from complications of COVID-19. She was 89.
Joni Berry is survived by her husband; a son, Tony; stepchildren Douglas, Howard, Toby, Benjamin and Victoria; and five step-grandchildren.
Born in Chicago in 1930, Berry was adopted by Joseph and Inez Eichenbaum at just five days old. When she was eight, her family moved to California, where her father worked as a real estate developer and her parents co-founded the Joseph K. and Inez Eichenbaum Foundation, which has since donated millions to charity. The family lived in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs, and Berry graduated from Beverly Hills High School. She was, at one time, a state bowling champion.
As the Eichenbaum’s only child, Berry eventually became president of their foundation. She endowed several projects, including the Joseph and Inez Eichenbaum Wellness Center at the Jewish Family Services in Los Angeles, and the Eichenbaum Laboratory of Alzheimer’s Disease at Tel-Aviv University.
But Berry had another passion: dance. As a toddler, she joined Merriel Abbott’s Chicago Baby Professionals, a classical dance studio. She later went on to dance with beloved stars like Sammy Davis, Jr., Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor, her personal favorite.
Berry’s love for dance remained throughout her life, both on stage and in her philanthropic work. For 24 years, she served as president of the Professional Dancers Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting dancers in need.
In 2019, she and her PDS successor, actress Mitzi Gaynor, were awarded the Medal of Honor from the Actor’s Fund in recognition of their organizations’ decades-long partnership. It was, Maitland-Lewis said, one of Berry’s proudest achievements.
Berry was also a founding member and former president of SHARE Inc., which works to improve the lives of developmentally disabled, abused and neglected children. She received that organization's Shining Spirit Award in 2019 in honor of her more than 60 years of service.
Berry’s first husband, Jody Berry, died in 2005, and she established the Jody Berry Theatre at RiverPark Center in Owensboro, Ky. in his memory. Berry met Maitland-Lewis, an author and attorney, at the Friars Club of Beverly Hills, and they were married in 2009.
And although Maitland-Lewis said he’s proud of his wife’s many achievements, it was the memory of their trips to the Satchmo SummerFest jazz festival in New Orleans, where they had a second home, that made him most tender.
Berry’s many years of philanthropy and volunteerism were also recognized by the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles and the City of Beverly Hills.
A prominent leader of several charitable and non-profit organizations in Los Angeles, Joni Berry died June 28 from complications of COVID-19. She was 89.
Joni Berry is survived by her husband; a son, Tony; stepchildren Douglas, Howard, Toby, Benjamin and Victoria; and five step-grandchildren.
As the Eichenbaum’s only child, Berry eventually became president of their foundation. She endowed several projects, including the Joseph and Inez Eichenbaum Wellness Center at the Jewish Family Services in Los Angeles, and the Eichenbaum Laboratory of Alzheimer’s Disease at Tel-Aviv University.
But Berry had another passion: dance. As a toddler, she joined Merriel Abbott’s Chicago Baby Professionals, a classical dance studio. She later went on to dance with beloved stars like Sammy Davis, Jr., Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor, her personal favorite.
Berry’s love for dance remained throughout her life, both on stage and in her philanthropic work. For 24 years, she served as president of the Professional Dancers Society, a non-profit organization dedicated to assisting dancers in need.
In 2019, she and her PDS successor, actress Mitzi Gaynor, were awarded the Medal of Honor from the Actor’s Fund in recognition of their organizations’ decades-long partnership. It was, Maitland-Lewis said, one of Berry’s proudest achievements.
Berry was also a founding member and former president of SHARE Inc., which works to improve the lives of developmentally disabled, abused and neglected children. She received that organization's Shining Spirit Award in 2019 in honor of her more than 60 years of service.
Berry’s first husband, Jody Berry, died in 2005, and she established the Jody Berry Theatre at RiverPark Center in Owensboro, Ky. in his memory. Berry met Maitland-Lewis, an author and attorney, at the Friars Club of Beverly Hills, and they were married in 2009.
And although Maitland-Lewis said he’s proud of his wife’s many achievements, it was the memory of their trips to the Satchmo SummerFest jazz festival in New Orleans, where they had a second home, that made him most tender.
Berry’s many years of philanthropy and volunteerism were also recognized by the County of Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles and the City of Beverly Hills.
A prominent leader of several charitable and non-profit organizations in Los Angeles, Joni Berry died June 28 from complications of COVID-19. She was 89.
Joni Berry is survived by her husband; a son, Tony; stepchildren Douglas, Howard, Toby, Benjamin and Victoria; and five step-grandchildren.
Family Members
Spouse
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
See more Berry or Eichenbaum memorials in:
- Hillside Memorial Park Berry or Eichenbaum
- Culver City Berry or Eichenbaum
- Los Angeles County Berry or Eichenbaum
- California Berry or Eichenbaum
- USA Berry or Eichenbaum
- Find a Grave Berry or Eichenbaum
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
