CJ was raised in Los Angeles, by a mother passionate about art and a father whose passion was for flying. Both art and flying were themes throughout her life.

CJ earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Fine Arts from University of California at Riverside, then moved to New York in 1969, to study at the School of Visual Arts, Fashion Institute and the Polakov Studio of Stage Design. She traveled through Europe with a theater, then became a costume and theater designer for the New York Metropolitan Opera, Julliard, Lincoln Center Ballet, etc. CJ moved back to Southern California in 1980 and pursued design work for films, working on costumes, set design and art direction for New Line Cinema. She also taught Set and Costume Design/Art Direction to graduate students at Chapman University.

In 1999, CJ designed the 99s Museum of Women Pilots in Oklaholma City. She helped coordinate the Palms to Pines air race with Claire and was an active member of the Santa Monica Chapter and Santa Monica Airport Association. For 10 years, she taught ground school for American Flyers in Santa Monica.

She died in a plane crash on April 29, 2013 and is survived by mother and brothers – Evelyn, Randy and Mick.

 

LA Times Obituary (May 2013)

99s News Magazine Article (2014)