A memorial bench dedicated to the memory of Nancy Jo Livingston-Mills has been given to the Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden by long-time friends of UCLA Kappa Alpha Theta and others.
After a successful career in retail men's fashions, during which she was instrumental in establishing the popular Westwood Village men's store Livingston-Wickern, Nancy Jo's avocation became horticulture, and she spent many happy hours in the botanical garden as well as continuing her studies at UCLA in that endeavor. In addition, for many years she was an active member of the Los Angeles Decorative Arts Council and a member of the Kappa Alpha Theta corporation board for the UCLA sorority.
Her legion of friend remembers her vitality, never-ending love of learning, and courageous spirit. Inscribed on the plaque for the memorial bench are these words, "With happy memories of dearly loved Nancy Jo. WW"
The bench is nestled in the shade next to the stream by the south bridge, adjacent the collection of the Chamaedorea palms and The Fern Grotto.
The botanical garden is also dedicating a memorial bench for H. Miles Raskoff (1918-2001), from Julie Raskoff and their sons Mark, Douglas, and Ken.
Miles Raskoff was devoted to his family and practicing law. He never forgot his background as an immigrant's son, the right of the unpopular to be heard, the duty to consider the interests of the powerless, and the right of all to be educated to achieve their full potential.
He was associated from 1947 until his retirement in 1987 with the late Martin Gendel, with whom he founded Gendel, Raskoff, Shapiro and Quittner. He took great pride in its excellence and high professional standards. For his exceptional and affordable education he was forever grateful to UCLA (A.B., 1939) and UC Berkeley (Boalt Hall, L.L.B., 1942; Member, Board of Editors, California Law Review).