In Our Care
Elaine Mililani Whisman
Memorial Service
Friday, May 27, 2022 ~ 10:30-12:30
The Island Girl Too Much For An Island
Elaine Mililani (Correa) Whisman was born September 28, 1934 to Lawrence and Dolores (Silva) Correa. She passed away peacefully on May 18, 2022, after a day in the company of family.
Elaine’s life began on the tiny rock outcroppings in the vast Pacific Ocean, at Honolulu, Hawaii. The Correa and Silva families had emigrated in the latter part of the 19th century from Madeira and The Azores islands. In Hawaii the families joined a thriving community of Portuguese expats. Lawrence and Dolores carved out a simple life of hard work centered on the railroads serving Pearl Harbor and a series of small businesses. Extended family gatherings came alive with music, hula, and plenty of homemade Portuguese, Hawaiian, Japanese, and Chinese dishes.
Elaine thrived in this island community. She loved the warm Pacific trade breezes that blew freely through open windows of their Hawaiian homes. She loved the ocean and surfing, and hiking the rainforest-covered mountains. She loved to read and to sing, and she loved school. She clung to these passions throughout life and shared them with her children.
When Elaine was 15 years-old, the family was blessed with the birth of Phyllis. Elaine took quickly and devotedly to big sister duties. Elaine and Phyllis remained loving sisters and cherished friends throughout their lives.
Despite its obvious natural beauty and cultural richness, Elaine realized that another world lay beyond the vast ocean that surrounded her home. With a spirit and determination unexpected and perhaps not appreciated in a woman of her time, Elaine resolved to leave the islands and venture to “The Mainland.” This decision revealed an independent and somewhat contrarian streak that defined her whole life and which reportedly sent ripples of gossip, dismay, alarm and, perhaps, also some admiration, through her family and close-knit neighborhood of Kamehameha Heights. But those who knew her well understood that no amount of pre-Twitter twitter would deter Elaine from pursuing this adventure.
At the age of 20, she boarded a twin-propeller airplane for the 12+ hour flight to the City by the Bay. She found a new community at the YWCA Residence Club, a job in the finance department of Pacific Telephone, and made many friends from around the country.
Music and singing were part of Elaine’s being, so it is no surprise that she joined the choir at Old Saint Mary’s Cathedral shortly after arriving in San Francisco. It was there that she met Frederick James Whisman. She was most likely drawn to his twinkling blue eyes and gentle smile, because his singing voice was unlikely to have reeled her in. They were married on January 14, 1960 and remained devoted and loving partners and friends through 36 years of marriage until Fred’s death in 1996.
Unafraid of a challenge, Fred and Elaine welcomed four children in less than six years: John Lawrence, James Morrissey (Jim), Anne Marie (Amy), and Frederick Damien (Rick). Elaine reared her children with love, focus, determination, and, of course, independent mindedness. She insisted on healthy foods from the culinary riches of the Pacific Rim- Grape Nuts over Frosted Flakes and dim sum over McDonalds. Television was rationed, but the phonograph spun constantly with the soundtracks of Broadway musicals. Respect and kindness towards others was paramount (when we kids weren’t beating on each other). Elaine took immense pride in her home, and loved hosting multi-course holiday feasts, or opening the house to rowdy teenagers for Gordos burritos and a Niners game. Later in life, nothing made Elaine happier than to cook with her kids and their spouses, surrounded by her lucky 13 brood of grandchildren: Iain, Linnea, Laird, Madelaine, Nils, Marissa, Cassidy, Charlotte, Ricky, Tyler, Gabriel, Quinn, and Riley. She was dearly loved and admired by her daughters-in-law Kathleen, Cecilia, and Sharon, and her son-in-law Tim, all of whom counted her as a bonus mom and true friend.
Elaine’s life after the children were reared – as if there is any such date – involved a mix of her varied interests. She studied and then practiced kitchen design for some years. She and Fred traveled. She sorely missed Fred when he died in 1996; no suitor ever measured up thereafter, and she lived contentedly on her own at both Ewing Terrace and then the Sequoias for 15 years. A highlight of our lives was a family trip to Hawaii in 2011 with all the kids, spouses, and grandkids joining Elaine for a swim in the Waikiki waves that she rode decades before.
As her health waned in recent years and Parkinson’s took a stronger hold, Elaine had to content herself with car rides instead of walks. She especially enjoyed trips to the beach and gazing westward over the breakers, and excursions to museums and botanical gardens. The disease eventually robbed Elaine of her ability to find words and to speak and her frustration would be evident. But, almost miraculously, the disease never defeated her singing. Until the end, she remembered the lyrics to hundreds of songs, the entire alto part of Handel’s Messiah, and could sing Hawai’i Pono’ī, her beloved state anthem, without hesitation.
Elaine Mililani Whisman was a woman of grace, poise, style, determination, and love for her family. She lives on in the love of music, humor, the outdoors, and elaborate holiday meals that bind our family together to this day. Aloha Oe, Elaine Mililani, until we meet again.
A celebration of Elaine’s life will be held at 10:30 am on Friday May 27 at Fernwood Cemetery, 301 Tennessee Valley Road in Mill Valley. Dress is casual, with Hawaiian prints and leis encouraged.
If you would like to make a donation in Elaine’s name, please consider By The Bay Health, the hospice that supported her and all of us in her final months. https://bythebayhealth.org/donate-now/
Jay T. Edwards
Memorial Service
June 16, 2022 ~ 11am-1pm
Jay T. Edwards’ love of life did not come to an end with his death. After a courageous battle with cancer, Jay passed away peacefully at his home in Sausalito, California, on May 7th, 2022. He was surrounded by loved ones who will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest.
Jay was born in Evanston Illinois, to Mary and Kenneth Edwards. After graduating from Glenbrook North High School in Northbrook, Illinois, Jay completed his Bachelor of Science, Marketing and Real Estate, in 1979, from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Following graduation, he moved to Denver, where he started his new and exciting career in the private real estate sector. He dedicated himself to hard, yet rewarding work, while obtaining his commercial real estate broker’s license. It was during this time he discovered his love for the great outdoors that bought endless activities and countless adventures. Jay relocated to San Francisco in the mid 80’s to pursue even greater opportunities for a bright and hopeful future in commercial real estate.
Upon relocating Jay continued his extraordinary commercial real estate career as a seasoned negotiator, highly respected for his business skills, leadership qualities and countless business relationships. He was well-known for his professionalism, tenacity, excellent listening abilities, unwavering commitment, as well as, always making time to celebrate a co-worker’s birthday or attend one of the many holiday celebrations. These characteristics led to many noteworthy opportunities in both the private and public sector. Most recently, Jay retired from the Port of San Francisco as Senior Property Manager, LEED AP, where he focused on leasing for the Northern Waterfront portfolio and complex negotiations with long standing Port clients, Exploratorium, Alcatraz Embarkation and the opening of the Cruise Terminal. He was very proud of his extensive involvement and instrumental negotiations in the completion of the Port redesign for the America’s Cup Race in 2013, as well as, the negotiation and completion of the retail lease for Boudin at Pier 39.
Jay often commented that public service was noble and necessary. Personally, he held it with great important value, along with family, faith and our local community.
These principle also lead him to his acute awareness and love for the environment and shaped his housing and business concepts, from refurbishing houseboats on the bay to obtaining a LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification in green building and sustainability.
Jay was not only successful in his career, but, life. He was well-rounded, out-spoken, a voracious reader, smart, confident, curious, with a wicked sense of humor, who loved to expand his mind and share his thoughts, which he had many. He often thought of himself as a wine connoisseur and admirer of different cuisines, which meant he loved to drink good wine and eat delicious foods, often crediting his Mother for her love of cooking. He had a great love and appreciation for live music and all genres, never missing a chance to see a live performance or singing out loud while driving in his car. But you could also find him watching his favorite hockey games, the SF Giants, Warriors or Sunday football with some of his closest friends.
His enjoyment for watching live sports was second to his love for adventure and the beautiful outdoors, which gave him true joy. From weekend bike rides through the Marin Headlands, memorable camping trips, roller blading along Blackie’s pasture, endless snowboarding adventures and vacations, more golf/tee times than one man could ever hope for in a lifetime to so many fun and meaningful road trips that will forever be etched in our memories.
Jay cherished each and every moment with his beloved family and loyal friends. His friendships had no limits, generous with his heart and soul, valued character over pedigree, had great empathy, an enormous capacity to give of himself and so brave. We’ll forever miss his infectious laugh and warm and welcoming smile. The last few years, he got great joy from long and reflective hikes with his devoted dog, Olive and lifelong partner Frances, discovering new and exciting trails, ones that take you beyond your imagination, crossing a bridge that no one can follow to continue his journey elsewhere with the same love and passion that he lived his life.
Jay is survived by his dedicated wife Frances, beloved Olive, and wonderful and loving four best friends/brothers, sisters in-law, brother in laws, mother in-law, cousins, nephews, nieces and many amazing friends. We’re going to miss you. Your decency, sincerity and kind soul will stay with us forever and through our tears let us see the blessings of knowing and loving you, a great husband, brother, uncle, cousin and friend.
A spiritual service will be held on Thursday, June 16th from 11am to 1pm, at Fernwood Funeral Home, 301 Tennessee Valley Road, Mill Valley, California.
A Celebration of Life reception for Jay will be held later that day at Peacock Gap Golf Club at the Clubhouse from 5pm to 9pm, to share memories, stories and camaraderie. Peacock Gap is located at 333 Biscayne Dr, San Rafael, California.
A private interment for family member and close friends in Colorado will follow later in the summer, August 13th.
Roger Kuhn
April 24, 1942 - February 22, 2022
Dr. Roger Charles Kuhn DVM passed away peacefully February 22, 2022 at the home he loved in Strawberry Point, surrounded by his family. Roger was born on April 24th, 1942 in St. Louis, Missouri. He was the son of Marie Amelia and Frederick August Kuhn, who he credits for teaching him to always be there for family. He was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Roger is survived by his wife Lynn of 57 years, his three sons Shaun, Todd and Blake, his daughters-in-law Amy and Jennifer, his six beloved grandchildren, Clayton, Sydney, Siena, Sebastian, Mylee, and Charly. He was also survived by his brothers, Frederick and Kurt and was predeceased by his brother Craig.
President of his senior high school class, Roger was a noteworthy athlete, both in football, basketball and track and field where he was a state hurdle champion. He played trumpet in the school band and continued to play casually when the spirit moved him. He attended The University of Missouri on a football scholarship. Following graduation he attended the Missouri Veterinary School of Medicine graduating Magna Cum Laude with the highest GPA in his class. Roger was one of eight national veterinarians accepted for an internship at the prestigious Angel Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston Massachusetts. There he learned the value of being mentored by a highly skilled and respected veterinary staff and aspired to mentor others throughout his career. In 1969 it was off to San Francisco, the land of flower power, where Roger joined Marina Pet Hospital as an associate veterinarian. A year later he purchased this historic hospital, from Dr. Howard Caroll. The hospital has served San Franciscan's since 1938. Dr. Kuhn along with many devoted veterinary associates over the years, and hundreds of caregiving employees continued the hospitals tradition by serving the Marina community for decades helping the well-being and lives of family pets for generations. He practiced as a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine for 49 years.
In 1973, Roger and partners founded All Animals Emergency Hospital in San Francisco, the third of its kind in the United States. He went on to expand, acquiring Valley Veterinary Hospital in Walnut Creek and Danville Veterinary Hospital in Danville, often rotating as a doctor to each, which earned him the title of "Vet Man" from his wife Lynn. During his career he influenced many doctors and employees continuing the mentorship he learned at Angel Memorial. His brothers Kurt, Craig and son Shaun joined him at management levels, all contributing to the success of the practices. He truly loved his profession, found it exciting and loved working with clients and their pets. He served as Vice President and President of the local chapter of VMA, was a frequent contributor and speaker to practice management seminars and publications. He was board certified in Companion Animal Medicine, Surgery and Animal Dentistry. He also served as Executive Secretary of the American Board of Veterinary Practitioners. For several years he was involved in the development and start-up of Pet Smart Clinics inside Pet Smart Stores. In 1994 Roger was recruited to be one of the original founders of the nationwide Banfield Pet Hospitals which grew to 700 locations and was eventually purchased by the Mars Company in 2008. His contributions and influence within his profession were local and national, earning him respect within the veterinary community.
Roger was a dynamic force and lived life fully engaged. His plate and days were always full. He loved adventure and he often "was" the adventure. His energy was boundless and inspired positivity. He was lured to the challenge of new beginnings. Professionally and personally, he was a visionary, a big picture person, a knowledge seeker, a contributor, and a mentor to many. Often, he gave encouragement to those he worked with, cultivating confidence. There was little he wouldn't try, limitations and the words "You can't do that" rarely occurred to him, nor did he think they applied to him. He was a risk taker, liked to live a bit on the edge, but usually didn't see it that way. He was all about having fun in life, a participator. He was a runner, a swimmer, a basketball player, a biker, a mountain biker, a motorcycle rider, a snow skier, a fisherman, a tennis player, a golfer, a good dancer, reader of long historical biographies and even hopped on a horse now and then. He loved to be well dressed, the adventure, and excitement of traveling the world and absorbing cultures with Lynn, family, and friends. His smile, enthusiasm, personality, and curiosity were wide. In an educational setting he was usually the first to ask a question. Always productive and good natured, Roger was friend to so many. He enjoyed meeting and being with people, hearing their story. He was most generous with his time, support, and advice, especially, when it came to family, friends, and their beloved pets. Roger was a unique and colorful individual, as his oldest grandson always says "I don't know anyone like Papa." He was king among princes, one of a kind, a truly good human being. His family is grateful for the gift of hard work, time, love and care he gave to us and extended family. We will miss his energy that could fill a room. Goodbye beautiful man. It was a privilege to share life with you. Your spirit's journey is off to new beginnings. Our hearts will be missing you always and dearly.
A celebration of life is being planned. For those who would like to make a gift in Rogers memory the family invites donations to the Forbes Norris MDA/ALS Center in San Francisco, an Animal Welfare group of your choice, or Hospice by the Bay.
Gwen Rustin Greene
January 5, 1932 ~ March 30, 2022
Gwen Rustin Greene, age 90, of San Rafael, California, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2022, surrounded by her loving family, after a brief 1-month decline. Her three children were each with her at their own first breath and her last.
Gwen was born on January 5, 1932, to Edgar and Florence Rustin in Atlanta, Georgia. She was industrious and responsible from an early age and bought her first car and her first house when she was just 21 years old.
In Atlanta, she worked in the office of Dr. Brown at the CDC. There, she met the love of her life, Dr. John Clifford Greene. They played tennis on their first date, and the two were inseparable from that moment. They married in 1957, going on to have 3 children, Alan, Laura, and Lisa. John and Gwen were joyously married for 59 years until John’s passing in 2016. Over the years they lived in Silver Spring, Maryland, Albany, California, Tiburon, California, Bethesda, Maryland, and San Rafael, California.
When her children were born, Gwen dedicated her talents to being an amazing wife and mother, building a family and community of love. Gwen was a fiercely dedicated mom to each of her children. Family came first to Gwen, a value she instilled in all those around her. The hole left by her absence is impossible to fill.
Wherever she lived, she was active in her church and a respected teacher. She reminds many of the Proverbs 31 woman, “Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise in the city gate.”
Gwen was the youngest child, by a considerable margin, of a large extended family. At 90 years old, she was the last of her generation. She was also predeceased by her husband John Greene and her granddaughter Brooke Nickel. She is survived by a remarkable and close family that she built and inspired, including her 3 children Alan Rustin Greene and is wife Cheryl Greene, Laura Greene Nickel and her husband Jeff Nickel, and Lisa Greene Helm and her husband Mark Helm, her 8 other grandchildren Garret Greene and his wife Rachel, Kevin Greene and his wife Beth, Sarah Helm, Claire Greene and her husband Scott, Kimberly Nickel, Lindsay Helm, Austin Greene, and Brandon Nickel, and her 2 great grandchildren Juniper Greene and Cora Greene, as well as by large, tight-knit extended families in Kentucky and Georgia.
We will miss her beyond words, and love and respect her always.
Murray Sokoloff
1925 ~ 2022
Murray Sokoloff was born in Toronto, Canada on December 26, 1925 of immigrant parents from Poland and Ukraine. His independent nature blossomed right from the start, always preferring to play baseball rather than go to Yiddish school. As a child, education was not his primary concern. Having fun was.
Murray hid his color blindness to join the Canadian navy during World War II. When he learned that the Jewish underground needed volunteers to help ferry Holocaust survivors from the camps to Palestine, he used his color blindness to obtain an honorable discharge from the navy, and he joined the Machal. He was assigned to a ship called the Haganah which transported thousands of Holocaust survivors. As a British subject, his participation would have been considered a capital offense. Extra special care was taken by the crew of the Machal to protect their Canadian volunteer, including the time the British boarded the ship. The crew dressed him as a Red Cross worker and successfully smuggled him off the ship into a hidden compartment underneath a water truck.
After the War he returned to Toronto and married Lila Greenburg in 1948. They were happily married for over 60 years until Lila's passing. After getting married, they moved to California to join his siblings and mother, and had two children: Fern and Jacob. Murray started his own successful electrical engineering company, Murray Sokoloff Electric and went to night school to continue his education. He became enamored with the Spanish language and at the age of 35 decided to change his life's direction.
In 1963 Murray moved the family to Mexico City for the adventure of their lives. He studied at the University of the Americas and perfected his Spanish. On returning to California a year later, he was granted a teaching position at Wilson High School in Long Beach where he was an extremely popular and inspirational teacher. At Wilson he became a school counselor while continuing his night school education. He earned his Master's Degree and became one of the school psychologists for Long Beach Unified School District until his retirement at age 75 where he redirected many kids away from violence and gangs, inspiring many to become educators and good humans. He also taught night classes in Spanish at Long Beach City College for 26 years.
After retirement Murray taught Spanish in the OLLIE (Older Living and Learning) program at CSULB. In 2017 to the delight of his family, he left Long Beach for the Bay Area to be with his daughter, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He continued to teach Spanish at his assisted living community in Emeryville up until the age of 93.
Murray was an incredibly passionate man and delved deeply into one interest after another. Some of his passions included classical music and opera, languages, baseball, fishing, golfing, boating and especially travel. He made it his mission to visit every Spanish speaking country in the world -- and was successful. He also wished to visit every ballpark in the U.S. but sadly did not quite see them all.
In his wake he leaves behind the continuation of his guiding principles: love, kindness, positivity, humor and humility. He was famous for saying there is a positive solution to every situation, it is just up to us to find it. He also said that there are more good people in this world than bad people. Those of us who survive him are extremely lucky to have been touched by him. We continue to strive to live up to his guiding principles. Wherever he went he beamed happiness, joy and positivity to all he encountered. What a magnificent man. What an incredible life!
Bradford Clark Giles, DDS
November 23,1926 ~ February 18, 2022
Born and raised in San Francisco, Dr. Brad Giles bought one of the first Greenbrae homes in 1960, when cows still roamed the hills. Enamored with Marin County and his view of Mt. Tamalpais, Brad never considered moving for the next 62 years. He and his wife Ellen raised their three children there. Years later, he lovingly cared for Ellen until she died and then, continued to live as a fastidious gentleman while the world changed at warp speed.
Brad and his older sister Betty, who predeceased him, grew up in the city during the Depression with their parents Clark and Louise Giles, and both sets of grandparents. The Giles family spent as much time as possible in Lagunitas, where Clark taught Brad the value of hard work and nurtured his passion for the outdoors. Duck hunting and fishing were favorite pastimes that Brad also shared with is sons Dixon and Kirk.
At Lowell High School, Brad shined in academics and track, and was an enthusiastic yell leader. He graduated in 1944 while WWII was underway and joined the Navy. Stationed in Oakland, Brad's tenure as a surgical technician inspired him to be a dentist like his father. With the help the GI Bill, Brad graduated UC Berkeley and received his DDS degree from UC San Francisco in 1952. He joined his father's practice in the city and grew it to 2,400 patients over his 40-year career.
Well-regarded and humble, Brad was elected president of his dental class, the UCSF Dental Association, and the Parnassus Club. In addition to being the Dean of the Advisory Community for UCSF dental school, he taught there part-time for 15 years and was on the Board of Directors of the San Francisco Dental Society for 30 years. To recognize his contributions, Brad received UCSF's prestigious Medal of Honor in 1991. This award, however, was not any more important to him than coaching his sons in the Marin County Little League, and managing their Cub Scout troops.
Brad's daughter Dana inherited his eye for fashion and cooking skills. Brad enjoyed buying clothes for his wife, Mary Ellen Duplisea (Ellen), also a Lowell grad, who fortunately appreciated his good taste. They married while he was in dental school. One of his favorite mottos was: I made the living. She made the living worthwhile. Together, they were show-stopping dancers who travelled the world with friends Doris and Ray Rovero. Ellen was stricken with rheumatoid arthritis in her 50s and when she was no longer able to care for herself, Brad sold his dental practice so he could be by her side 24 hours a day. He was a devoted househusband for 20 years until Ellen died on November 24, 2014, at the age of 87.
As he wished, Brad died naturally within days of breathing difficulty due to a terminal lung condition. As they wished, Brad and Ellen will be interred together at Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma near their parents. He requested only a private family gathering. Remembering him with love are his son Dixon and granddaughter Heather; son Kirk and his wife Diane, and granddaughters Amanda Giles DeRossa (her husband Michael, great-grandchildren Tyler, Mikey, and Ally) and Kelli Giles Thomas (her husband Lucas, great-grandchildren Siena, Owen, and Everest); and daughter Dana Giles Hilliard and granddaughters Maeve and Grace.
In addition to his family, Brad will be greatly missed by his friends---including his neighbors---and those he taught , mentored, worked with, and helped throughout his 95 years."You get what you give," he often said. Brad lived by those words.
