Former South Coast Plaza owner dies

Young Chang

COSTA MESA -- Jeanette Segerstrom caught every Opera Pacific show.

She attended almost every major concert performed by the Pacific

Symphony Orchestra.

She was a fixture at the Orange County Performing Arts Center.

The presidents and directors of these arts companies also agree that

the late philanthropist made appearances in her trademark St. John suits.

Her most memorable accessory was that “little grin.”

Daughter Sandra Daniels says that’s how Orange County will likely

remember her mother -- smiling.

Ms. Segerstrom, a Newport Beach resident and arts patron, died of

cancer Tuesday. She was 72.

“I felt that she was the guiding light of philanthropists,” said John

Forsyte, president of the Pacific Symphony.

The former owner and managing partner of South Coast Plaza and C.J.

Segerstrom & Sons was also the wife of the late Harold T. Segerstrom, a

founder of South Coast Plaza and a member of one of Orange County’s

pioneer families.

The couple’s mission was to bring world-class music, dance, opera and

theater to the county, said Jerry Mandel, Center president. They were

original founders of Opera Pacific and recent donors of $1.3 million to

underwrite the Pacific Symphony’s Classics Series, which was renamed for

the Segerstroms.

Forsyte ventures that Ms. Segerstrom’s childhood instruction in cello

and piano had something to do with her lifelong love of music.

Daughter Susie Perry credits her parents for an upbringing filled with

Broadway musicals.

But Daniels, of Costa Mesa, adds that her mother’s most admirable

trait was her generosity for the arts and for everything else.

“And that’s more than just financially,” Daniels said. “She would do

anything for just about anyone. Beyond the arts, she supported a great

number of organizations and she was very generous with her time and

money.”

And when Ms. Segerstrom gave her time, she did it graciously and with

a grin. Martin Hubbard, Opera Pacific’s executive director, calls it an

“impish grin” that accompanied a head cocked just a tad to one side. It

flavored her humor, her wit and, most of all, a persevering love for the

arts that encouraged the artists themselves.

“For those of us who work really hard to keep this music thriving,

it’s just really gratifying,” said Forsyte, the recipient of many a

smile.

Ms. Segerstrom is survived by children Sally Segerstrom, Ted

Segerstrom, Susan Perry and Daniels; brother Casey Franck; and eight

grandchildren.

A visitation will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Fairhaven

Memorial Park, 1702 Fairhaven Ave., Santa Ana. Funeral services will be

held at 4 p.m. Tuesday at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 600 St.

Andrews Road, Newport Beach.

In place of flowers, contributions may be made to Opera Pacific,

Pacific Symphony Orchestra’s Education Programs, or to Cottey College,

Attn: Institutional Advancement, 1000 W. Austin, Nevada, MO 64772.