Miriam Bernys Bitzer

BITZER, Miriam Bernys (nee Bovey)
Beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and aunt, Miriam passed peacefully on December 1, 2005, age 90 years, at Pioneer House, Sacramento, where she had resided for the last 5 years. Native of Sacramento and 3rd generation Californian, Miriam was born October 31, 1915, to the late George Bovey (Nevada Co.) and Elsie Rule Bovey (Amador Co.). George owned and operated Bovey's Meat Market in East Sacramento for many years. Miriam grew up in East Sacramento in the family home at 35th and L Sts. She graduated from David Lubin, Sacramento High (1933), & Sacramento Jr. College (1935)-with great distinction. Miriam was a proud graduate of the Univ. of Calif., Berkeley (1937) with a B.A. in History/English & received her General Secondary Teaching Credential from Cal in 1938. She was a member of Delta Beta Sigma Sorority, a life member, Cal Alumni Assn, & an active childhood/youth member of First United Methodist Church, Sacramento. She married the love of her life, Jack H. Bitzer (Emil & Johanna Nesche Bitzer, Florin, CA) in May, 1940, following their meeting in history class at SJC. Miriam and Jack were married for 57 years prior to Jack's death in 1997. She was employed by the State of Calif., Dept. of Social Welfare, as a personnel analyst until the birth of their only child, Margaret Ann, in 1947 and, thereafter, proudly & skillfully maintained home, garden & all manner of domestic responsibilities until a fall in the kitchen of her home in Jan. 2001. She is survived by and will be sadly missed by her daughter Margaret Ann Bitzer Serenity (Rev.), Sacramento, her nephews, Dr. Gene S. Tobias (Christine Matson), Brea, and Dale Bovey Tobias (Margot), Walnut Creek and her uncle Charles Bovey (104 yrs of age), East Sacramento and their families. She was predeceased by her cherished "baby" sister, Merle E. Bovey Tobias (Toby), Walnut Creek, and her nephews, Glen B. Tobias (Bonnie Tobias Kidder), Orinda and Ron H. Bitzer (Karen), Anchorage, AK and brother and sisters in law, Raymond H. Bitzer (Alice L. Peard Bitzer) and Lucile B. Bitzer Kennedy, Sacramento. In 1942, Miriam received the first leave of absence ever granted by the State of Calif to a wife of a member of the military to accompany her husband, Jack, on his stateside tour of duty prior to his shipping to England for service in the U.S. Army Air Corps for the duration of WW II. Miriam was a masterful, creative wordsmith/writer, a dedicated diary/family history-keeper, gardener, cook, creator of draperies & upholstery, student of history and current events and avid proponent of social justice and peace. She loved all manner of kitties, crossword and jigsaw puzzles, mystery/historical novels and the weather & news reports on radio/TV. She was the most devoted of mothers. At her request, no formal services will be held. Arrangements by East Lawn Andrews & Greilich Mortuary. Miriam will be lovingly inurned with her beloved Jack at East Lawn Memorial Park, Folsom Blvd Sacramento. Remembrances may be made in Miriam's memory to the Sacramento SPCA, 6201 Florin-Perkins Rd, Sacramento, CA 95828 or to the Sacramento Children's Home, 2750 Sutterville Rd, Sacramento, CA 95820 or to a cause of the donor's choice. Our grateful & eternal thanks to those at Pioneer House, 6th Floor SNF, Kaiser Hospice Elder Care & the office of Dr. Michael O. Ward D.D.S. for their years of assistance and caring. "Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the Lord hath dealt bountifully with thee. For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling." Ps. 116: 7,8.