Many members of the community are mourning the death of Corinne Parson Pleger, a partner with Miracle Mile-based accounting firm, Brakensiek Leavitt Pleger, LLP — also known as BLP, the Ecclectic Accountants — and an award-winning costume designer and historic preservationist.

Preservationist Corinne Pleger died Nov. 27.

Pleger, 57, died unexpectedly at the hospital on Nov. 27 after experiencing difficulty breathing. The cause of death has not been determined, and she reportedly had not been experiencing any major health problems in the days leading up to her death. She was reportedly upbeat and in good spirits during Thanksgiving, but experienced difficulty breathing a few days later.

Pleger’s husband David said they were married in 1987, and lived in the West Adams District, where Corinne was involved in historic preservation. The Plegers had completely refurbished their 1908 home, and she was very proud of the residence.

“We bought a home in West Adams in 1988, and a year later, we had it so fixed up that the president of the West Adams Heritage Association at the time said she had never seen a home get fixed up so quickly,” David Pleger said. “It was something she was very passionate about.”

Corinne Pleger was a longtime member of the West Adam Heritage Association, and formerly served as the organization’s president. She was also a member of the Art Deco Society, the Costumers Guild West, the American Women’s Society, and other preservation groups.

Longtime friend Cat Slater said Pleger, along with the heritage association, was instrumental in preserving a residence known as the “Seven Seas House” located near 24th Street and Arlington Avenue. Pleger was also involved in organizing tours at the historic Rosedale Cemetery in the West Adams District.

Slater added that Pleger was passionate about historic costuming, and created period clothing by hand. An expert seamstress, Pleger taught Slater how to sew and create elaborate dresses popular in the Victorian era. She said they would often plan picnics and other events where they would wear their costumes along with other people with similar interests.

“She was basically a historic preservationist who enjoyed the ability to actually partake in it,” Slater said. “She was also a big fan of ballroom dancing, and we would go to the balls together. Corinne was a phenomenal ballroom dancer.  Who doesn’t want to dress up and feel like the Belle of the Ball?”

Lynne Leavitt, a partner at BLP, said she and Pleger had been business associates and friends for decades.

“We basically worked together for thirty-one years,” said Leavitt, who had previously worked with Pleger at another accounting firm before forming BLP in 1998. “ We wanted to have a different kind of accounting firm. We wanted to be very proactive. We wanted a place where we were looking ahead at the future of our clients.”

Leavitt also said Pleger ‘s death has been very difficult to accept.

“She was very upbeat, very detail oriented,” Leavitt said. “We are still in shock. It is very hard for us to believe she is not going to walk in.”

Attorney Stephen Kramer, president of the Miracle Mile Chamber of Commerce, said Pleger was previously a member of the chamber’s board and was always upbeat and enthusiastic about helping. Kramer added that he last spoke to her on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and there was no indication anything was wrong with her health.

“It’s a feeling of unbelievable shock,” Kramer added. “I still feel that way. The reality hasn’t sunk in yet.”

A memorial service for Pleger is scheduled on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 1 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. Pleger is survived by her husband, David, and son, Evan, as well as her mother Bobbi Batchelder, siblings Harley Parson, Joni Cropper, Christian Batchelder, Patricia Weissner and Mary-Ruth Batchelder.