Lenore “Lee” Stein-Wood, a long-standing member of the USC School of Social Work Board of Councilors, died Jan. 12 at her home in the Hollywood Hills. She was 78.

A visionary in the field of home health care, Stein-Wood served on the Board of Councilors for more than 20 years. She and her husband, William S. Wood, were also prolific supporters of the school, endowing a scholarship and two professorships: the David Lawrence Stein Scholarship; the Lenore Stein-Wood and William S. Wood Professor of School Behavioral Health; and the David Lawrence Stein/Violet Goldberg Sachs Professor of Mental Health.

“There was simply no one like Lee. Her presence in the world and her effect on others was unique, partly because she had such a deep sense of wanting to make the world right, especially for children and youth who face the challenges of mental illness,” said Marilyn Flynn, dean of the School of Social Work. “She cared about health more broadly, promoted it in her business career, her philanthropic contributions and her general orientation toward life. Above all, I will remember her as a dedicated board member of the school, through her gifts, her participation in school events, her encouragement to me and to others as we carried out our work, and her endless efforts to help us all do a better job.”

For her and Wood’s many contributions, the school presented them with honorary alumni status in 2010.

“Lee was so proud when she received her honorary [status] from USC,” Wood said. “It meant the world to her, and she finally felt like she was a true Trojan.”

Born in Brooklyn, New York, Stein-Wood moved to California with her parents in 1953. After graduating high school at the age of 16, she began her career in the medical field. In 1968, after the enactment of Medicare, she decided to open up her own home health care agency. Inter-City Home Health Association became one of the first companies in the United States to provide home nursing and therapeutic services. To fill the gaps in Medicare coverage, she later launched Inter-City Homemakers, a homemaker assistance program that offered private services to patients in homes and hospitals. In 1980, the companies merged to become Personal Care, later expanding to eight locations and cementing its reputation as the best home health program in the country. Through her work, she helped to improve the lives of tens of thousands of individuals in their time of need.

In 1983, Stein-Wood sold the company and began to devote her time and energy to various volunteer efforts. She was a generous donor to many schools and organizations, including Northwestern University’s Asher Center for the Study and Treatment of Depressive Disorders, the Wounded Warrior Project and the Parkinson’s Foundation. She was also a staunch supporter of the American Heart Association, where she and her husband created the David Lawrence Stein Award in memory of their son, David. For her many contributions to philanthropy, she received the 12th Annual Society of Brain Mapping and Therapeutics Humanitarian Award.

Stein-Wood was preceded in death by her son David and brother Arnold Tesh. She is survived by her husband; son Michael; daughter-in-law, Sharon; grandchildren Davina, Devin and Sabrina; brother Barry Tesh; and an extended family of nieces, cousins and friends.

The School of Social Work held a celebration of her life on Feb. 5 at the USC University Club. Contributions in her memory may be made to: USC School of Social Work – David Lawrence Stein Scholarship; Brain Mapping Foundation; and American Heart Foundation.