Jean R. Sternberg's Obituary
Jeannie Sternberg died peacefully in her sleep on June 28, 2023. She was born on February 19,
1952 in Brooklyn, New York. She grew up in Valley Stream, Long Island, where she graduated
from Valley Stream South High School in 1970. Jeannie attended Tufts University, and majored
in Art History, graduating with honors in 1974. Along the way, she spent a semester at Smith
College and a year as an exchange student at Dartmouth College. There, she was among the
first cohort of women while the College transitioned to co-education. At Dartmouth, she met her
husband and life partner of 50 years Andy Krakoff.
Following college, Jeannie attended law school at the University of California, Davis. After law
school, she served as a law clerk to the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court, the late
Rose Elizabeth Bird. That experience laid the groundwork for her lifelong career defending and
protecting the Constitutional rights for men and women on California’s death row.
Jeannie pursued her work with fierce determination, unmatched intellect, and a compassionate
interest in the lives and causes of her clients’ actions. Throughout her long career, she
mentored countless attorneys and served as a true example of effective capital defense and
advocacy.
Jeannie lived a rich life beyond her legal work. With her husband and two children, Michael
and Emily, she loved hiking and camping in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, reading, watching
movies (her favorite was “Casablanca”), walking the family dog, and just spending time with
friends and family. Jeannie especially enjoyed baking, finding time to bake not only for her
family, but for her co-workers’ special occasions. She had particular success at the Martinez
“King of the County” barbeque contest, winning awards for her “Chef Choice” dessert entries
on numerous occasions.
In 2020, Jeannie was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer. She faced this terrible disease
as she did with all things in life with courage, grace and tenacity but without self-pity. Following
her diagnosis she retired from her position as a Supervising Deputy State Public Defender. In
2021, Jeannie and Andy relocated to their dream home on the island of Maui. Together, they
enjoyed the beauty of Maui despite fighting this terrible disease.
Jeannie is survived by her husband, Andy Krakoff and two children Michael and Emily, a brother
Richard Sternberg of Hartsdale, New York, sisters-in-laws Judith Calder and Linda Silverman,
brothers-in-law David Krakoff and Richard Silverman and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins
and friends.
Jeannie’s life was a light to all who knew her. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her
memory to Women Helping Women, 1935 Main St., suite 202, Wailuku, Hawaii, 96793,
womenhelpingwomen.org or Planned Parenthood, plannedparenthood.org.
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