Joan Borsh
Anabel Bulpitt Neufeld, a former civic and community leader who
lived in Glendale for more than 50 years, died Monday after a lengthy
illness.
She was 86.
Neufeld was active in many groups, including the Glendale Symphony
Orchestra Assn., the Glendale Tournament of Roses Assn. and March of
Dimes.
She was an honorary life member of the PTA and the Oakmont League.
In 1978, she was named California's Mother of the Year.
Her leadership spanned five decades in politics, social
organizations and professional societies. She was the founding
president of Glendale's Sister City affiliation with Higashiosaka,
Japan in the early 1960s, and was instrumental in the development of
the Japanese Tea House and Gardens in Brand Park.
"I've known Anabel Neufeld for 42 years, she was like a mother to
me. She had a profound and lasting impact on our community and
touched the lives of many people'' said Allen Brandstater, a longtime
friend.
Neufeld was born March 23, 1916, in Bishop. In the late 1920s, her
family moved to Santa Monica, where she attended and graduated from
UCLA.
Neufeld's first husband, Thomas Harris, a major in the U.S. Army,
was killed in action during World War II.
In 1948, she married Dr. Otto J. Neufeld and they moved to
Glendale.
In addition to her husband, Neufeld is survived by her children,
Denise, Dennis, Donald and Debra; grandchildren, Zachery and Emily
Neufeld, Julia, David and Rachel Pereyra; Ethan and Eric Neufeld,
Gregory "Rocky'' Gilliland; and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life will be at 3 p.m. Thursday at the
Glendale Seventh-day Adventist Church. Burial will be private.
Interment will be private.
