Clara Stern Obituary

Clara Stern
May 17, 1927 - February 9, 2023
Clara Stern died peacefully at home at age 95. Born in Chicago Il, the youngest of three children, to Arthur and Rae Ginsburg, immigrants from Russia. The family moved to Boyle Heights, LA when she was 3, and suffered hard times during the Great Depression. Clara met Robert Stern of Albuquerque NM, a WWII veteran, at UC Berkeley in 1946 and they married in 1947. Children followed, Nicholas, 1952, Arthur 1957, and Susanna (Suki) 1960. Clara loved the brown shingle house in No Berkeley the family purchased in 1957. She graduated from UCB with a BA in Anthro, later with a MA in Library Science. She worked as a research librarian at the Institute of Industrial Relations until retirement in 1991, having declined the institute directorship. Food was one of Clara's love languages, cooking dishes from every culture, and trying new recipes on guests. Famous for dubbing many of her experiments a "disaster," we all looked forward to her next gustatory disaster. She hosted her last Thanksgiving dinner at 95. Clara often looked back on the family sabbatical in London, 1968, as the best year of her life. Other loves included quilting, gardening, restoring old furniture, camping, travel, movies, bird watching, museums, and she was never without a book or a beloved cat. A devoted wife, Clara, oversaw Robert's care during a 5-year decline with Parkinson's. After his death in 2014, Clara filled her time with walks and meals with friends old and new, a book club, frequent family get togethers, gardening, and new craft projects. She lived independently to her last day. If there is an afterlife, she wanted to come back as an otter.
Clara was predeceased by daughter, Susanna (Suki) Berro, and is survived and dearly missed by sons Nicholas, Arthur (Eric), ex-daughter-in-law, Janice, grandchildren, Pippa, Alyson, Adam, Emma, Isadora, Bianca, and great grandson, Ben. A Tea and Celebration of Life will be held, July 22, in Albany CA. For more information: [email protected]

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Published by San Francisco Chronicle from Jul. 4 to Jul. 6, 2023.

Memories and Condolences
for Clara Stern

5 Entries

Rae Giffin

July 24, 2024

Rae Giffin

July 24, 2024

Rae Giffin

July 24, 2024

I met Clara and Bob in 1985-86 at Hua Chao University in Fujian province China. Clara immediately caught my attention, admiration and friendship. Her and Bob were wonderful people. We had movie nights in their rooms and any wine we could get our hands on! Such fun. Then our time was up and we all went our separate ways Clara to the US and me Australia. I never forgot her and Bob. For a while we stayed in touch. Her knowledge on books and world politics was so refreshing. Finally after 30 years in 2016 I made it to the states. On a whim my partner and I unexpectedly dropped in on the 89 year old Clara. Within minutes of her opening the door she remembered me. We talked all afternoon and returned the next day to meet her family. Clara had cooked an incredible meal for all of us. Such a sweetheart. I feel blessed to have had her as a friend. Us outside her house in 2016.

Priya

July 26, 2023

While walking by an antique store this week, I found a 1952 letter from Sonny and Dotty (friends of the Sterns from NM). It congratulated Clara on the birth of her first child, a son. The letter was so compelling that I had to look up who the Sterns and Anconas were. What I found were incredibly intelligent, driven, loving people who had vast interests in culture, art, and music, and who contributed to others´ lives with their gifts. Though I never knew Clara or her family, the information I found painted a lovely photograph of a fascinating and fulfilling life. I will hold on to the letter in case any family would like to have it.

Rochelle Nason

July 9, 2023

This is a lovely tribute to an exceptionally lovely person. My best wishes to all who are also missing her, I look forward to sharing memories and celebrating her life with you.

I am uploading a pic from a happy day we spent in East Contra Costa enjoying the blossoming of the orchards out there

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