Phyllis Ann Bramson

January 7, 1957 – January 23, 2013

A champion of child nutrition was lost when Phyllis Ann Bramson passed away at her Davis home on January 23,2013 from ovarian cancer.  Born January 7, 1957, Phyllis’ two passions in life were her work and being a mom to daughter Rachel, now 17. Coming in a close third was politics, the lifeblood of parents George and Judy Bramson, who immersed the family in progressive causes and local Democratic politics after moving to the Sacramento area from New Jersey in 1959.

Phyllis retired in 2012 after more than three decades of dedicated service with the State of California where she applied her passion for improving the health and wellness of all Californians, but especially that of our state’s children. As Director and Assistant Superintendent of Public Instruction for the Nutrition Services Division of the Department of Education for 10 years, Phyllis directed 200 staff responsible for administering the state’s school nutrition programs.

Prior to joining the Dept. of Education, Phyllis worked at the state’s Department of Health Services, most grateful for her 12 years serving as Branch Chief of the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Special Supplemental Nutrition Program.  She and her staff, working with counties, made huge improvements in delivering healthy food to California’s needy families.

A staunch Democrat, Phyllis remained engaged in politics and policy until her last months of life, working to pass Proposition 37 which required foods containing GMOs to be labeled.  She was a confirmed extrovert and avid reader who loved socializing with friends, cooking for family, debating with her book club and travel.

Phyllis was predeceased by her parents. She leaves behind daughter Rachel Bramson Paul, siblings Carolyn (Richard) and Peter (Robyn) Bramson, niece Jesse Bramson, Aunt Nancy Rubin, and many loving family and friends.  The family gives special thanks to caregiver Amy Cashdollar.

A celebration of Phyllis’ life will take place March 20, from 3-5 p.m. at the Citizen Hotel, 926 J St., Sacramento, with all Phyllis’ friends and colleagues welcome.  In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund; WIC; the George Bramson Memorial Scholarship at CSU Sacramento; or the Alzheimer’s Association, Northern California chapter.