In Remembrance

OAC member Betty Goerke was an author, archaeologist, and anthropologist whose work centered on the Coast Miwok people. She died at her Mill Valley home on August 25, at the age of 93. “She was everyone’s advocate,” said Robin Heard, Ms. Goerke’s daughter.

Ms. Goerke was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 16, 1931. Once she graduated from Radcliffe College, she moved to San Francisco with her husband, Jon Goerke, and taught history at the Branson School in Ross. In 1965, she went back to school to study history and archeology at San Francisco State University. Much of what Marin County knows about Chief Marin is due to Ms. Goerke’s work. The research and digs she and students did in Marin County resulted in her book, “Chief Marin and Discovering the Native People of Point Reyes” (2012). Other works included“Chief Marin: Leader, Rebel and Legend” (2007), and a children’s book, “Adventures of Two Coast Miwok Children” (2020). Upon publication, she gifted the children’s book to all third-grade teachers in Marin County. In 1971, she began teaching anthropology and archeology at College of Marin, where she stayed for over 30 years. She led students on archaeological digs and field trips — including a trip to France to see the prehistoric art in the Lascaux caves, as well as trips to sites in Mexico and Guatemala.

Ms Goerke was also a musician and a fine dancer. In 2020, she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mill Valley Historical Society. She is survived by her son Jon Goerke, and daughters Katharine Goerke and Robin Heard.

Lynda Chittenden
Archives Standing Committee
September 9, 2024
Source: Marin IJ September 4, 2024

In Memory –
Sally Porter, nee Saralee Ann Craig, a member of the OAC since 2009 died at home in March 2024 of natural causes. Born October 1, 1940 in San Francisco, Sally spent her childhood in the Berkeley area and Jackson. She graduated from Armstrong Business College, a school for private secretaries in 1960. Later in life, she attended College of Marin, and started her own business that included secretarial services, bookkeeping, database and personal management.

After her 1966 marriage to investment banker, Lee Robert Porter, the couple moved from San Francisco to Mill Valley and later began a family. Active in the Scott Valley Swim and Tennis Club, Sally was also an important contributor to the philanthropic work of the Outdoor Art Club.

She served as Community Service Director for several years, and from there co-chaired the First Tuesday Sewing and Knitting Group. Over the years, that group has proudly donated countless handcrafted lap robes and blankets, bibs, bed socks, fingerless mitts, hats, pillows and shawls to patients and clients of multiple Southern Marin nonprofit organizations. Sally was also an ace copy editor and proofreader, repeatedly called upon to check for errors in handbooks and newsletters. Back in the day when handbooks were mailed to all members, Sally implemented that process. Sally is survived by her son, Scott Craig Porter and many wonderful friends. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in memory of Sally to The Outdoor Art Club, Attn Legacy Fund, One West Blithedale Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941.

In Memory –
Doris Dill, OAC Life Member and Past President passed away at the Redwoods in Mill Valley, CA on Feb 27, 2024, after celebrating her 100th birthday. She became an OAC member in 1963 thus was 60 years a member. Besides being past president, she was the Ways and Means Chair, on the nominating committee, fashion show model, Garden Tour driver, rummage sale and many other contributions.

She met the love of her life, Ed Dill, when they were young children. They were a perfect match and married for 66 years before Ed passed in 2012. They had two children Valarie and Scott. They were longtime residents of Mill Valley and owned Dill & Sederberg Plumbing for 60 years.

Doris is remembered as an excellent wife, mother, grandmother and dear friend. She organized many dinner dances at the OAC and wore her handmade elaborate gowns and cocktail dresses. She was artsy crafty. She was a talented knitter, she beaded, painted, made jewelry, hooked a rug her daughter still has, redecorated her homes. Her favorite color was gold. She loved tennis, dancing, and waterskiing. Her daughter Valarie describes her as half Marilyn Monroe (glamorous and sexy) and Doris Day (sporty and active). She lived life to the fullest. She was very social, adored her many friends and loved to entertain.  She is survived by her daughter, Valarie Norris, and many grandchildren. Preceded in death by her husband Ed and son Scott.

In Memory –
Helen Elizabeth Beck, an Outdoor Art Club member since 2007, was born October 11, 1931, to Arthur and Helen Dunlop in Berkeley, California. Her early days in Berkeley were marked by an extensive social life and writing a gossip column for the Pelican, her school newspaper. Early adventures included a solo trip to Europe after college. Eldon Beck and Helen were married in 1958 in Berkeley, forming a companionship of love, nature and adventure for over 65 years. They moved to Homestead Valley, a Mill Valley neighborhood in 1963. Raising their children Fred and Jean meant introducing them to the outdoor nature she and Eldon loved. Helen was an active community volunteer, serving as Homestead School PTA President, supporting after school recreation programs, organizing local chipper days for wildfire threat reduction, and facilitating community purchase of 80 acres of Homestead Valley open space. Helen received a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley and worked as a Contra Costa County Social Worker. After raising their family, she received a Master’s Degree in School Psychology from San Francisco State University in the late 1970s and worked with children in the Belmont School District. At age 62, Helen received her PhD in Clinical Psychology from the San Francisco School of Psychology and supported the UC Berkeley Disabled Students Program for many years. Finally, in her 80s she served as a Marin County Long-Term Care Ombudsman. After nearly six decades in Homestead Valley, she and Eldon moved closer to downtown Mill Valley. Helen also loved hosting parties, fashion, flower arranging and sewing. A great delight in her later years was her days at the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club, sewing with the Couture sewing group, arranging flowers for events and being a docent for the Garden Tours. Helen had a great ability to listen and her life was filled with happiness, love, great variety, and many good memories. Following a short bout with cancer, she transitioned peacefully from this life on January 6, 2024. A celebration of life will be held in the Spring at the Mill Valley Outdoor Art Club.

In Memory –
Maria Aversa of Mill Valley, California, a member of the Outdoor Art Club since 1984, died unexpectedly on December 25, 2023. Maria was born on May 21, 1932, the loving daughter of Costantino and Edvige Aiello. She grew up in Sorrento, Italy, and lived there through the Second World War. In 1955, she married the love of her life, Salvatore Aversa. Newlyweds, Sal and Maria immigrated to America, with a visa to work for the French Consulate’s residence in Sausalito. It was there where she learned how to cook French and European cuisine. On Mothers’ Day 1964, Sal and Maria opened La Ginestra, an Italian restaurant in Mill Valley. Sal passed away in 1983, and for the past forty years, Maria has run La Ginestra together with her three children. Maria is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Lucia and Ralph Della Santina of Corte Madera; her son and daughter-in-law, Fabio and Ann Aversa of Mill Valley; her son and daughter-in-law, Costantino (“Tino”) and Marisa Aversa of Corte Madera; and her grandchildren, Joseph Della Santina, Paolo Della Santina, Gabriella Aversa, Salvatore Aversa and his wife, Tennessee Aversa. We remember with gratitude all the kindness from her friends and family throughout the United States and Italy. We also express gratitude for her colleagues and the patrons of La Ginestra. A Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, January 6, at 2 pm at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church in Mill Valley. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice, or to St. Vincent de Paul c/o Mt. Carmel Church, 3 Oakdale Avenue, Mill Valley, California 94941.

In Memory –
Constance Alexander Kroeck, a member of the OAC since 1992, died on August 24, 2023 at home having seen all of her family one last time. Connie grew up in Illinois, and graduated from the University of Illinois in 1954. She and her first husband and father of her three children, Bob Alexander, moved to San Francisco in 1957. To accommodate a growing family, they soon moved to Mill Valley, then “a nice little town.” Connie raised her children here and also worked at the Economic Development Council in San Rafael as well as at Tam High as the student counselors’ secretary. After her husband Bob died in 1975, Connie married Dick Kroeck in 1981— a happy union until his death in 2002. For many years, Connie was an active OAC member, serving terms as Chair of the Outreach Committee, the Fiscal Committee and the 2002 Garden Tour. Her membership green card contains a lengthy list of many volunteer hours helping with luncheons, teas, blood drives, and docent tours. Connie was a knowledgeable birder who loved to cook and do crossword puzzles. We are grateful that Connie brought into the Club her daughter Tracy Brown who says of her mother, “She always saw the positive in every person and every life experience.” At Connie’s request, there will be no memorial service and burial will be private. “She just didn’t want anyone to make a fuss over her death.”

In Memory –
Evelyne Norris (née Delore), aged ninety-one, passed away on June 28, 2023, at her residence in Villa Marin. She was a Lifetime member of the Outdoor Art Club having joined in 1968. Evelyne was deeply involved in the Club’s activities, contributing her time and dedication to its mission. Born in 1932 in Rabat, Morocco, she immigrated to the United States at a young age and settled in San Francisco. Evelyne had a love for theater and the arts and worked as a stage manager, where she met her husband, John. Together, they built a close-knit family in Mill Valley, raising four children. Evelyne will be remembered for her devotion to family, her volunteer work with the Outdoor Art Club, and her vibrant spirit. A mass and celebration of life will be held at Our Lady of Mount Carmel church on August 16th at 11:00 am with a reception to follow.