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Gertrude Lapidus Miller

1915 - 2014

Gertrude Lapidus Miller obituary, 1915-2014, Santa Cruz, CA

Gertrude Miller Obituary

Gertrude Lapidus Miller
May 24, 1915 - November 26, 2014

Gertrude Miller was born on May 24, 1915 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and died peacefully in her sleep at the age of 99 on November 26, 2014 in Watsonville, California.
She was the third child of Paula and Jacob Lapidus, and her family moved to Chicago shortly after she was born. In 1927, when she was 12, her family moved to Los Angeles, where she lived for the next 80 years. She went to Los Angeles High School and then to UC Berkeley, but came back to Los Angeles after two years and graduated from UCLA in 1936.
She married Robert Miller, a college classmate, in 1940, and they were happily married until his death 57 years later in 1997. They had three children, Robin Miller Jacoby, Julie Miller, and Steven Miller, and nine grandchildren – Ted, Jaime, Seth, and Maggie Bardacke; Peter and Leah Jacoby; and Sascha Harris and Morgan and Reuben Miller.
In addition to being close to her children and grandchildren, a special pleasure of Gertrude's life was her close relationship with her sons-in-law, Jonathan Jacoby and FJ Bardacke; her daughter-in-law, Corinne Miller; and her granddaughters-in-law, Naomi Urabe, Jeanne Jacoby, and Katy Steinmetz. And it was a source of great joy for her to have six great grandchildren, Hannah and Caroline Jacoby, Niko and Ry Bardacke, and Alex and Logan Harris. In addition to her immediate family, Gertrude was a devoted aunt to her Lapidus and Miller nieces and nephews.
Outside of her family, her life was shaped by her deep commitment to social justice; the priority she placed on education, for herself and others; by her extensive travels in this country and abroad; and by her spirit of adventure and involvement in outdoor activities.
Her commitment to social justice was expressed through her active support for selected political candidates and for what she regarded as key legislative issues; she was involved with a fair housing group in Los Angeles for many years; and she contributed to numerous organizations working for social change.
Her commitment to education was expressed through her participation in life-long learning programs, such as the Plato Society at UCLA, her many years of tutoring in an adult literacy program, and her creation of the Robert Miller Scholarship at UCLA and the Seth Bardacke Scholarship for a graduating senior at Watsonville High School. She was an avid reader and supported public libraries in Los Angeles and Watsonville.
She was also an avid traveler, generally with Rob, but sometimes with other family and friends. She ultimately visited almost all the major cities in the world, but she was also drawn to trips focused on nature and on exploring ancient sites.
She and Rob shared a love of the beach and being near the ocean, and their home in Malibu was the site of many happy times with family and friends. She became a member of the Sierra Club in her 50s and hiked regularly for the next 30 years – and celebrated her 75th birthday by taking a rafting trip on the Colorado River.
She was very fortunate to be in good health for virtually her entire life, and her varied interests and the vitality with which she pursued them were an inspiration to many. She was truly a woman of valour.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Dec. 14, 2014.
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Dear Robin, Julie, and Steve, I was sad to read of Gert's passing. Rob and Gert were dearest friends. My thoughts are with you.
Love, Bennett Wolf

December 16, 2014

What an amazing woman Gertrude was. While I didn't know her well, I felt like I did because of the warm, loving stories her daughter-in-law, Corrine Miller shared with me. How fortunate the family was to
have this woman in their lives.

December 14, 2014

Dear Gertrude was the perfect example of a life well lived. Her enthusiasm for life and her love, pride, and respect for her family is an inspiration to me. I will never forget seeing her swim in the ocean in Malibu with Steve in her late seventies and especially that glorious white crown of hers. My sincerest condolences to the extended Miller family. With love, Cathy Mann

December 14, 2014

We were so fortunate to have this strong, intelligent, capable,caring woman woman in our family. She has been an inspiration in our lives. Her wit and intelligence sparked up many a gathering. We will remember her always.

Paul and Lindasue Lapidus/Marshall

December 14, 2014

Gertrude was an extraordinary woman and it was an honor to have known her. May her memory be a blessing.

Pat Lerman

December 13, 2014

Beautifully expressed tribute to Gertrude and the wonderful family she came from and the one she and Rob created. Much love--Ceiny

Ceinwen Carney

December 13, 2014

She was close to her brother David, his wife Marilyn,
their son jay his wife Barbara. and her two great nephews Lucas and Jakob....She will be missed by her family...

December 13, 2014

I know how dear to all of you -she was - especially my cousins FJ and Julie and Ted, Maggie, Seth and Jaime.You were lucky to have her, and she was lucky to have you.My consciences to you all. Cousin Annie

Ann Bardacke

December 13, 2014

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