Audrey Stone Geisel

Audrey Stone Geisel August 14, 1921 - December 19, 2018 La Jolla Mom was born in Chicago, in 1921. Her father, Norman Alfred Stone, was a "song and dance man" and soon gone. It was her Mom, Ruth Benson, a Norwegian immigrant, who raised Mom. These were difficult times, and Mom grew up hodgepodge: with her mom when possible, or family friends and, once, in foster care. Mom was 21 when she entered the Indiana University nursing program. It was there she met our Pop, E. Grey Dimond, a pre-med student. They both worked at Massachusetts General Hospital until they moved to Kansas, where their two daughters were born.In 1960, in the black-on-red Ford Fairlane, the family headed west. Over the hill into La Jolla, a small town on a gentle coastline with the shining Pacific Mom always said, "I saw that and knew I'd stay here forever." And stay she did. Our parents were married 25 years; in 1968, Mom married Ted Geisel. Ted and his first wife, Helen Palmer a children's author had a remarkable union of 40 years. Ted's marriage to Mom brought him a second wind: 24 years and 20 books, including "The Lorax," "You're Only Old Once," and "Oh, The Places You'll Go." I thank you so much, Mom, for these two wonderful Pops. Some of Mom's favorite things: Sam, our beloved Yorkie; parades; early morning; popcorn; dancing cheek to cheek; and all holidays.She was an extraordinary whistler. She never complained. A well-worn dictionary sat by the bed. Her longtime jewelry box: an egg carton spray-painted gold! Mom was petite, beautiful, strong-willed, charming and fun. She never looked back only forward and she had a great spirit for life. She sailed forth with that distinctive walk: head up, shoulders back, jaunty, as if she had just twirled her baton. Mom was curious throughout the years. At age 93, she declared, "I love breakfast! You have the whole day in front of you!"She leaves behind her daughters; the inestimable Claudia Prescott; and the women who filled Mom's last years with love and comfort in the happiest of homes, Teresa Neri Fonseca, Alma Jimenéz Guzmán, A. América Maldonado, Alejandra Gonzalez, Xochitl Mullins; and from the wonderful LivHome, Martha Hernandez and Norma Fernandez. Because of these women, Scripps Memorial Hospital, and the beautiful Kindred Hospice, Audrey Geisel died at home with that blue sky and blue ocean running like a ribbon outside her bedroom window .A good life, and a good death. Rest in Peace, Mom. Please, no flowers. Instead, please donate to an organization or charity of your choice.