Leona and her husband Jack moved to Orange County in 1998, with her husband passing away after 40 years of marriage soon after they arrived. In 2002, her life began again with husband Joe Sadacca, and in 2007, she retired from Gate City Beverage Company as President/CEO, as well as an insurance company, leasing company, non-alcoholic beverage company and a trucking company. Her philanthropic life began at an early age and includes, among many organizations, Hebrew Union College, Think Together, American Heart Assoc., the Leona Aronoff Rabbinic Mentoring Program, Temple Bat Yahm, Pacific Symphony, South Coast Repertory, and the Jewish Federation of OC. Awards include Outstanding Young Women in America 1960, Who’s Who in America 1981, the Loma Linda University Children’s Hospital Shirley N. Pettis Award, 2012, the National Beer Wholesalers Association Lifetime Achievement Award 2006, and the Jewish Club of 1933 Philanthropic and Heritage Award 2011.
“I believe in ‘Takum Olam,’ which means that it is our responsibility to make the world a better place, since we stand on the shoulders of others before us. I felt the best avenue is through giving to children’s causes in each of the organization’s I belong. Children are our future!” – Leona Aronoff-Sadacca