Serena Bardell

1932 - 2024

Serena Bardell
09/11/1932 - 12/11/2024
Serena Bardell (née Jutkovitz) daughter of the late Rose Semmel and Alexander Jutkovitz; sister of the late Howard and the late Elliot Bernstein; aunt of Lex, Donna, Steven, Dan, Dale, Adam, Mitchell, Matt, Rhoda, Eve, Ula, the late Andy Bernstein, and the late Freda Bernstein Langbert; great-aunt of Rachel, Anna Rose, Sara, Doug, Drew, Juliet, and Lee Bernstein; wife of Robert Douglas Bardell.
Founder (1964), San Francisco Mensa Gourmet Group. Editor and publisher for eight years, first with dear friend Barbara Lee then with Bob: à la vôtre!, a bimonthly "little magazine" about wine and food. Author of SJ's Winners: An Exceptional Approach to Round-the-World Wining and Dining in the San Francisco Bay Area (1982) and SJ's 1984-85 Guide to San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants. Longtime "Chowhound" known as "Fine."
Lifelong liberal Democrat, which, despite the tendency in recent times to say "liberal" and mean "leftist," is not an oxymoron.
Passionate organic gardener, cook, and baker, devoted to making whole-grain, sustainable, low-saturated-fat, organic dishes that taste as delicious as the opposites. User and supporter of Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Guides. Wine lover/collector.
Defender of the Mother Tongue and longtime member of the late Society for the Preservation of English Language and Literature (SPELL). Free-lance editor.
SF civil grand juror 1996-97. Founding director (2003-2006, 2008-2010) San Francisco Chapter, California Grand Jurors' Association (CGJA) and director of the statewide organization (2003-2009). Chair, CGJA's first-ever Annual Conference to take place in San Francisco (2007).
Longtime director and active participant, Golden Gate Valley Neighborhood Association.
Graduate of four Neighborhood Emergency Response Team Trainings (NERT). Founder and leader of 1900 Block of Filbert SAFE group (1994-2004).
Ever grateful for having been born a Jew and an American and for so many years of extraordinarily good health.
Thankful for the love and patience of many friends, including the late Joanie Scoggins, Jenny, Don, Raven, the late Dorothy Whitnah, Barbara, the late Babs Spack, Zelda, Gaye, Eni, Dorothy H. And the steadfastness and love of both her late brother Howard and her husband.
She came to believe that it was essential to protect the earth and its oceans, air,
and fresh water in the hope that the human race might someday evolve into worthy inhabitants.
If you want to honor her memory, please compost, recycle, and donate to and/or volunteer for any group working to save whales, fish, rainforests, etc., and make mindful choices with every purchase.
And never, ever say, "They invited my partner and I."
Services and interment followed by traditional reception: Fernwood Mortuary, Tuesday, December 17, 1:30pm, 301 Tennessee Valley Rd., Mill Valley. In accordance with Jewish tradition, no flowers please.