Lois Schnitzer, z”l, passed away Friday, Mar. 7, 2025, at the age of 89.

One of Portland’s most prominent Jewish philanthropists, Schnitzer and her husband, Leonard Schnitzer, z”l, contributed extensively to the Jewish Federation of Greater Portland, the Oregon Jewish Community Foundation, the Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education and other Jewish organizations. They also made contributions to causes outside the Jewish community, including an endowed chair in Breast Oncology at Oregon Health Sciences University.

“Lois was a kind and generous philanthropist and unassuming community leader,” JFGP President and CEO Marc Blattner said in an email. “One thing most evident was her deep love and care for family, especially her six daughters. As she once said to me, ‘Family is like the spokes on a bicycle wheel. Each is connected and each is important. Respect, kindness, and love were ingrained in us.’”

She provided more than 530 grants to no fewer than 85 organizations through OJCF, including the Lois Schnitzer Education and Enrichment Endowment Fund for OJMCHE through OJCF.

“Her dedication to philanthropy has touched the lives of so many,” OJCF said in a statement, “and may her legacy live on in the countless organizations and individuals she touched.”

Schnitzer is survived by her children Rita (Bob) Philip, Gayle (Paul) Romain, Sandra Schnitzer, Mardi (Brad) Spitzer, Jill (Rich) Edelson  and Dina Schnitzer, as well as her eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren. Lois was preceded in death by her husband Leonard Schnitzer and her parents Rose and Harry Schafer, z”l.

A memorial service was held Monday, Mar. 10 at Congregation Beth Israel in Portland.