Diane Betty Abramson, noted dress designer and philanthropist, died Dec. 19 of lung and heart failure at her home in Beverly Hills . She was 86.
Born Diane Betty Greer in Denver, she moved to Los Angeles in 1931 and became a dress designer, eventually opening her own retail shop, "Diane's Hand Knits," in Beverly Hills and Palm Springs.
Her designs were modeled by such luminaries as Elizabeth Taylor, Betty Grable, Debbie Reynolds and Mitzi Gaynor. Abramson eventually began manufacturing in Hong Kong and selling to Saks Fifth Avenue.
Abramson was involved in many charities. She received a commendation from President Harry Truman for em-ploying handicapped individuals as dressmakers. Abramson also received the "Spirit of Life" award from the City of Hope and was involved with the Jeffrey Foundation for Handicapped Children and the Sickle Cell Foundation, among others.
Abramson is survived by her husband, Dr. Harry Abramson, two sons and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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