Evelyne H. Leeds, active in the arts
Evelyne Hartfield Leeds, a founding member of
the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, died on Nov. 1 at home in
Ridgefield.
Mrs. Leeds was born in Anaheim, Calif., where her family had many
interests including citrus ranching and real estate development.
As a child, she moved to Los Angeles with her family, living in
Hancock Park, Fremont Place, and eventually Beverly Hills.
In 1945, she attended the opening sessions of the United Nations
in San Francisco. A lifelong lover of music and the arts, she was
a founding member of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. She
also enjoyed travel, especially to France and to England where
she liked to visit friends and family.
She was married and widowed twice. With her first husband, film
director and OSS veteran, Herbert I. Leeds, she lived in Beverly
Hills where she remained following his death until she moved to
New York to marry Sidney Milan in the 1970s. Since 1980, she has
lived in Ridgefield.
Known for her charm, gentleness, and devotion to her
family, she was regarded by those who knew her with fondness and
admiration, the family said.
She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lydia and Patrick
Hoban of Ridgefield.
Services were private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the
Robert L. Fine Cancer Research Lab Foundation at Columbia
Presbyterian Medical Center in New York or to the Visiting Nurse
Association of Ridgefield, 90 East Ridge.
The Kane Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.