Lois Roberts Muhly

1926 - 2015

Lois Roberts Muhly
May 9, 1926 - August 10, 2015
Resident of Santa Cruz
Lois Muhly passed away peacefully at the age of 89 with her loving family by her side.
Lois was born in Porterville, Ca and was raised on the Jacalitos Ranch, a homestead settled by her French Ancestors, located near Coalinga, Ca.
Lois met her future husband, Bert, at Bergstrom Field, Austin, Texas, where Bert was stationed as a weather Technician in the Army Airforce. Lois flew out to visit her brother Stan and was introduced to Bert. They were married two years later on October 19, 1946. Both attended UC Berkeley, as they started their young family. After having six children, Lois earned a Bachelor of Education degree at SJSU in 1965,and a Master's of Education from USF in 1978. Lois taught school at the elementary level for 29 years, primarily in the Soquel Unified School District until her retirement in 1988. Lois taught in one of the original Spanish bilingual programs in the area.
Along with Bert, Lois was an active member of Coalition for Nicaragua, Alliance for Children, Children's Creative Response to Conflict, Women's Democratic Club, People's Democratic Club, Resource Center for Non-Violence and were also actively involved in local, state, and national politics. In their desire to, "Make the World a Better Place", Lois and Bert created, "Three Americas", a non-profit organization, where members sold Nicaraguan coffee at the Aptos Farmers Market on Saturdays. Lois and Bert were well-known in the Farmer's Market community during their "retirement years".
Through poetry, writing, watercolor, and music, Lois interpreted the world around her offering her family a beautiful perspective on life. Family camping and road trips included hiking, identifying flowers, birds, and trees (she knew them all), singing songs, and storytelling around the many campfires, of her many adventures growing up on the Jacalitos Ranch.
Lois was also actively involved in her children's extracurricular activities. She was a Bluebirds, Brownies, Girl Scouts, and Cub Scouts leader and PTA president.
Lois had an adventurous spirit! She loved to climb mountains, travel the world with her artist and political communities, and even took flying lessons!
Her grandchildren have fond memories of the annual snow skiing trips (especially the hearty stew she and grandpa would bring to the slopes to warm their tummies, before setting out for an afternoon skiing session), and waterskiing (grandma did backflips off of the houseboat at age 85!)
Grandma loved the Giants and rarely missed watching a game. Devoted fans, Lois and Bert enjoyed most of their grandchildren's sporting events, many times attending four events in one day!
Lois was very intelligent and possessed an incredible dry wit and sense of humor. She completed a crossword puzzle daily and was also the "Scrabble Queen!"
Lois was a beautiful, kind, and loving person. She was a mentor and mother to many. She generously opened her home to her community, offering meals, or a glass of wine-her door was always open. She was an amazing cook, and hosted many political fundraisers over the years.
Holidays were filled with love and joy, as well as a properly set table for the large Muhly Clan. At Christmastime, this was usually followed by a mandatory skit or musical performance by all family members before presents could be opened.
On her last day, Lois picked up her dear friend Lois Trabing for their usual Wednesday walk on the wharf, and lunch at Stagnaros afterwards. It was a beautiful sunny Santa Cruz summer day. Lois said, 'Mom walked further than she ever had!' Lois lived life large, and made friends with all who shared her path along the way. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.
Lois is survived by her children, Patricia Vargas (Martin), Bill Muhly, Jenny Hutson (John), Janet Windt (Michael), and Ernest Muhly (Cindy), 23 Grandchildren, and 12 great-grandchildren.
Lois was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Louis Bertram Muhly, her parents Ernest Roberts and Anne (GiGi) Lane, her brothers Stanley Roberts and William Roberts, her daughter Sally Hallowell, and her grandson Miguel Munoz.
The Muhly Clan would like to thank AMR, Santa Cruz City Fire Dept, Dignity Health Emergency Services, CCU, and Palliative Care staff, for providing exceptional care in Lois's final days and for supporting our family through this difficult time.
Services will be held September 26, 2015, at 3:00pm at the Peace United Church of Christ (formerly First Congregational Church), 900 High St, Santa Cruz, Ca.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Resource Center for Non-Violence, 612 Ocean St., Santa Cruz, Ca, 95060 or Three Americas, Inc. PO Box 711, Santa Cruz, Ca 95061-0711