Patricia Doroshow's memory will be preserved in book
By Stephanie Bertholdo bertholdo@theacorn.com

ENDURING- The late Patricia Doroshow in happier days with her sons Brendan and Colin. Doroshow's friends and family are compiling a memory book in her honor.

Patricia Doroshow was a fighter- and an inspiration.

Doroshow, 56, was a member of the board of directors at Heschel West Day School in Agoura Hills and a resident of Calabasas. She died on Nov. 14 after an 18month battle with colon cancer, but her memory will live on, thanks to family, friends and colleagues who are creating a special book in her honor.

The memory book is being created to help the Doroshow family through the grieving process, said Ellie Sambol, a friend of the family.

A letter in the book is addressed to Brendan, Doroshow's ninth-grade son. "Your mother's Hebrew name was . . . Penina," wrote Rivka Ben-Daniel. "It means Pearl. . . . Remember that her Hebrew name resembles who she really was. A gem! The wholesome, white, perfect, beautiful stone reminds me of your mother as she was wholesome, beautiful and perfect."

Sambol said Doroshow was an acclaimed federal attorney who received an award from former U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno for her work.

"What I loved about Patricia is her sense of commitment to her children and her intelligence," Sambol said. She said Doroshow gave up a highly successful career to raise her children. "She was a brilliant woman," she said.

S. Ling Wu, team captain coordinator for the Agoura Relay for Life, said Doroshow was named among the top fundraisers for the event for several years.

Doroshow's friend Mary Blankstein said her friend was born in Long Beach and earned full scholarships to the University of Southern California and Loyola Law School. "No words can describe her."

But Doroshow's friends are hoping that letters and photos from friends and family members will ease the pain for Doroshow's family, including her husband, Jim, and sons Daniel, Brendan and Colin.

"When Patricia came into a room, it's like happiness came through the door," Blankstein said.

To contribute to the memory book, call Ellie Sambol at (818) 606-9485.