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Edith Sommer Obituary
Dec. 25, 1927 - Feb. 4, 2015
Palo Alto
Edith was born and raised in Chicago, educated at the University of Illinois, and was married in 1948. She and her husband Simon moved to Palo Alto in 1949 and created a very full life together. They had three boys—Paul, Jon and Jeremy.
Edith was many things to many people—artist, teacher, traveler, reader, poet, student, theater-and- ballet-lover, daughter, wife, mother, and dear, dear friend.
Art was a driving force in her life, and she was instrumental in the creation of Gallery House in 1958, an artists' cooperative still thriving in Palo Alto. Traveling and making connections with people around the world was another passion for her; she was active as a host and as a traveler in SERVAS, which seeks world peace person-to-person. Over the years she was involved in AFS, the Sister City program of Palo Alto, and recently, Friendship Force, hosting people young and old in her home, sharing her love of the Bay Area with people all over the world.
Edith's travels took her all over the US & Canada, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, South America, Russia, and Australia & New Zealand. She loved her many visits to Paris, studied French until recently, and hosted French conversation groups in her home.
She is survived by her family (Paul Sommer & Laura Selby, granddaughters Lauren and Sasha Sommer; Jon & Amy Sommer and grandsons Keith Morrison and Aaron Sommer), her brother Robert Kasper & his family, and countless friends.
A celebration of her life will be held at 3 pm on Monday, Feb. 9 at the Eichler Swim & Tennis Club, 3539 Louis Rd., Palo Alto 94303. Donations in her memory can be made to The Windhorse Foundation/Laos Orphanage Fund, PO Box 26582, San Francisco, CA 94126.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Edith Sommer
Sponsored by San Jose Mercury News.
6 Entries
Debbie Ryan
February 12, 2015
Here's a photo that I took on July 21, 2009. Edith hosted a going away lunch for a tennis friend named Jean Francke at her house. We often played tennis together at the Eichler Club. Edith and I shared our love of art, theatre arts, travel and tennis. She gave me a tour of her house. As I entered the living room, I felt like I was in a museum. Every nook and cranny was filled with relics and artifacts from her travels all over the world. Each one would remind her of a place she has visited. Edith was also very resourceful in that she turned a hot tub in her yard into a pond with fish. I truly enjoyed our friendship and will miss her.
Jean Francke Lunch @ Edith's house
Debbie Ryan
February 12, 2015
February 8, 2015
I remember her generosity, but especially when she gave a talk at the Rodin Sculpture Garden (in French and in English) to our ambassadors from Biarritz. We will miss her. Wendy & Kent Dewell, Friendship Force.
Karina Nilsen
February 7, 2015
Edith's unique view of the world, and her gifts to art and humanity, will be sorely missed by all who knew her. She set a great example with her zest for life, her kindness and her joie de vivre.
Theresa and Karl Robinson
February 7, 2015
Edith's dauntless sense of adventure and great spirit, were evident in her enthusiasm for life and in her generous , spontaneous smile.Her creativity displayed in her extraordinary jewelry will give us enduring pleasure, as well.
February 7, 2015
We fondly recall our annual gettogethers at Berkeley family camp and Asilomar. Hal and Nell Mirels
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