Joanne Jubelier, PhD, a long-time volunteer and supporter who played a seminal role in establishing Venice Family Clinic’s mental health program, passed away December 14 after a short battle with lung cancer. She was 78.

Dr. Jubelier was a clinical psychologist with a practice in Beverly Hills. She was the first volunteer offering mental health services at Venice Family Clinic, providing direct services to patients at the Bible Tabernacle church in Venice, one of the Clinic’s first shelter partners.

“[Our patients] want someone to listen to them and treat them with kindness,” she told the Los Angeles Times in 1990. “The people I see in private practice have the resources to take their kid to be diagnosed, or to see their physician. These families don’t have the resources to even identify their needs.”

Dr. Jubelier played an important part in developing the Clinic’s mental and behavioral health program, training and supervising clinical staff for more than two decades. She also served on Venice Family Clinic’s Board of Directors and was a member of the Emeritus Board at the time of her passing. In 2006, the Clinic honored Dr. Jubelier with a Silver Circle Award for her dedication to the Clinic’s mission.

“Since my first day at Venice Family Clinic, I’ve seen the importance of social workers and medical staff working alongside each other helping heal the mind and body of those most in need,” she said in 2012.

Dr. Jubelier is survived by her husband, James Zidell, DDS; sister and brother-in-law, Jill and Bob McKay; niece Karri and her husband, Brian; and grandnephew, Quinn.