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Maria Eitz Obituary
02/24/1941 - 07/16/2024
Our North Star, Maria M. Eitz, affectionately known as "Omi," passed away peacefully at 83 on July 16, 2024, at her home in San Francisco, California, surrounded by family.
Born on February 24, 1941, in Northern Germany, Maria was orphaned as a child in the middle of a war. This impactful experience led her to dedicate her life to helping children in war and to become a champion of teachers, attending Teachers College in Flensburg, Germany.
Maria immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1960s and attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, earning a master's degree in theology and later a Ph.D. in child psychology.
Her notable accomplishments include reuniting children with their parents during the Cold War in Germany for the Allied powers, volunteering and organizing for Friends For All Children in Vietnam, organizing the Orphan Airlift at the Presidio in San Francisco, starting and continuing the first children's Therapeutic Respite Care Center in the nation for Talk Line, part of the San Francisco Child Abuse Center for 35 years, organizing a medical volunteer organization in Sudan and Somalia to assist victims of famine, being ordained as a Roman Catholic Woman Priest leading a congregation at Sophia in Trinity in San Francisco, and authoring four books: Ten Days in Berlin, Desert Tales, Buffalo Carry Me Home, and Stone River Rain: Currents in a Single Flow.
Her proudest accomplishment, however, was being her family's North Star. She brought together five individuals and patiently nurtured them into a beautiful family, showering them with love and support, imparting lessons of acceptance and peace, and consistently finding humor and light in the most challenging situations. Her love will live on through her husband, four children, eleven grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren, who survive her.
Maria will always be remembered for her kind, quiet, and thoughtful words, as well as her graceful, brave, and adventurous spirit. She loved San Francisco, was a staple of the Inner Sunset Community, and loved walking her dogs through Golden Gate Park, always saying hello to passing trees, animals, and people. She was an unwavering advocate for children, women, and social justice, and above all, she was a loving and constant presence in our lives.
Memorial services will be held privately with family; however, a Celebration of Life is being planned for the Fall of 2024 and will be announced at a later date. Please check the Memorial Service site at https://www.mariaeitzmemorialsite.com for details.
In place of flowers, please consider donating to KQED Public Radio, Planned Parenthood, or Doctors Without Borders, USA in Maria Eitz's name.
Memories and Condolences
for Maria Eitz
30 Entries
Alan Lubow
November 9, 2025
Maria made things happen. Bo´ho Somalia
Dennis J Crowley
November 2, 2025
In Grateful Memory of Maria Eitz: I am gone out, like the waxen candle after the meal is done. Seemingly lightless. Dead. Yet! In some spiraled whisp of white cloud, heaven bound I seek, and yet will find Maria's face.
Blessed to have known Maria since 1967. We last talked via phone in 2008. I can not miss Maria, she lives on in all of us who have been and will be so blessedly gifted with her spirit. Such magical times on Kilbourn Avenue in Milwaukee with Kippy your magnificent little tan dog. As Maria so often taught me to sign off, "And so it will be!" Dennis
Dennis J Crowley
November 2, 2025
I met Maria in in 1967 through our connecrtions to Marquette University. Truly a living saint who so deeply touch my life that I have cherished her as no other. Here it is 2025 and I last talked with her over the phone in 2008. I will not miss Maria simply because she lives on in all of us who have been so singularly blessed to have had out day in her Sun. Words can only scratch a very faint reminder of this wonderful woman, a deeply courageous, loving, and compassionate woman. I can ony sign off with a poem:
In Grateful Memory of Maria Eitz
I am
gone
out,
like the
waxen candle
after
the meal
is
done.
Seemingly
lightless,
dead.
Yet
in
some
spirled
whisp
of
white
cloud,
heaven
bound
I seek,
and yet
will find
Maria's
face.
mary jenkins
August 2, 2024
mary jenkins
August 2, 2024
mary jenkins
August 2, 2024
mary jenkins
August 2, 2024
mary jenkins
August 2, 2024
mary jenkins
August 2, 2024
When I think of Maria I think of her quiet, thoughtful demeanor, her love for children and animals,
her interesting home filled with books and art. She was a shining example of how one person can make a difference.
Becca
July 23, 2024
Becca
July 23, 2024
Becca
July 23, 2024
Becca
July 23, 2024
Becca
July 23, 2024
Becca
July 23, 2024
She wanted a labyrinth so we made her one
Becca Ho
July 23, 2024
Becca Ho
July 23, 2024
Becca Ho
July 23, 2024
Becca Ho
July 23, 2024
Becca Ho
July 23, 2024
Becca Ho
July 23, 2024
Maria was a kind and giving person that I had the pleasure of helping transform her house from a respite care center back to a home when she retired. Deepest condolences to her family and loved ones.
Jeanne Pellegrini
July 22, 2024
Deepest condolences on your loss. Maria was my teacher at St. Rose (class of `74). She was truly a remarkable woman and I remember well her trips to adopt and bring home her children and also her stories of her childhood.
Cathy and all my many pups whom you also loved you!
July 21, 2024
Cathy and all my many pups whom you also loved you!
July 21, 2024
Cathy and all my many pups whom you also loved you!
July 21, 2024
Maria touched SO many people in her life, all along her life - this characterized her life, soul, spirit and compassion. Many of us knew her through our mutual dogs for whom she was an angel! In fact, she gave me a little silver colored medallion when one of my dogs past - which I still have and cherish to this day. She was the beloved 'pied piper' of our turf in Golden Gate park. Lighting a candle for you 'dear' Maria.
Kathryn Carpenter Totah
July 21, 2024
Miss Eitz was my substitute teacher for just one day at Mercy High School and I will never forget her. I was deeply touched by her life story and inspired by her encouragement to lead a meaningful life. My condolences to her family and friends.
Dianne Vidmar
July 20, 2024
Maria (we were required to address her as "Miss Eitz" back then) was my religion teacher (briefly) when I was a student at Mercy High School, San Francisco. It would have been my very first semester (1969) and though I was only a 14 year old with little life experience, I sensed Maria was a special soul indeed. I have thought about her over the years - interestingly enough, I tried to contact her just a few weeks ago to tell her (lo, these 55 years later) how much she meant to me. I suspect I am not the only one who was influenced by Maria and I am sure her spirit will live on. My condolences to her family and friends who loved her.
Mary P. Wohl Risher (Trish Risher)
July 20, 2024
Maria lived in Toledo, Ohio for a short time and was a powerfully beloved presence in my choldhood home. My patents, Dr. Charles Wohl, and Gerry Wohl welconed her into the bustling midst of their12 children of which I was #4, born in 1954!! Maria had a major influence in my life, bringing the treasured works of Tolkien and Madeline L'Engle into my thirsty life. But it was Maria's deep seeing spirit that strengthened my own to hope in and seek out a little promontory of individuation in that tumultuous sea of family.
Oh Maria...how I would have loved to see you again face to face. My faith assures me that this shall be, in God's good time.
Sweetest prayers and grace fall mightily upon all her beloved family. I count myself deeply blessed to have known Maria as a child. Thanking God to have reconnected in this small way. Shalom, shalom.
Dolores
July 18, 2024
What an amazing woman. I wish I had known her. God bless her for all of her goodness. An inspiration, Thank you for sharing
Sue Cassilagio Anderson
July 18, 2024
She was such an amazing woman and Mercy San Francisco High School teacher who made such a difference in the world and in my life. May her legacy and influence be carried on through her students and all whose lives she touched. She will be missed...
Showing 1 - 30 of 30 results
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