Edith Sommer

Edith Kasper Sommer

Dec. 25, 1927-Feb. 4, 2015

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 family (Paul Sommer & Laura Selby, granddaughters Lauren & Sasha Sommer; Jon & Amy Sommer and grandsons Keith Morrison & 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.