Ronelle Letven died in a traffic accident on Highway 5 on July 12. She was 59.
Born in Encino, Calif., Letven was a psychiatrist who treated adults and children from throughout the United States and, most recently, in the San Diego area. She was a nature lover who enjoyed hiking in the mountains. She graduated from Birmingham High School at the age of 16, and attended St John’s College, Santa Fe and UC Berkeley, graduating before she turned 20. Letven then had a son, whom she named Sundance, and went on to medical school where she graduated with honors with a specialization in psychiatry.
Her talents included dancing, especially ballet. Letven danced the role of the sugarplum fairy in “The Nutcracker Suite” in her early teens after studying ballet only a short time. She enjoyed music, water and swimming.
Letven is remembered as someone who always believed in the goodness of others and someone who was never afraid to try new things or take risks. She accomplished many things on her own, from crossword puzzles to reading or writing her own memoirs.
Letven is survived by her son, Sunny Letven-Erickson, her grandchild, Caela Imbrogno-Erickson, her sisters Deborah Blanchard and Leslie Bixler, her niece, Annabel Spatola, nephew Robben Bixler and her father, Harold Letven. Memorial services will take place Aug. 23 at the home of her son in Ojai, Ca. More information can be obtained by calling Leslie Bixler at 310.457.8024.