Obituaries are supported by a generous grant from Sinai Memorial Chapel.
Serena Bardell
Sept. 11, 1932–Dec. 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). Freelance editor.
S.F. 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.”
Stella Etoile Campbell
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the sudden death of Stella Etoile Campbell at 5:14 p.m. on Dec. 10, 2024. Stella died peacefully in the presence of her children, Daniel Campbell and Zohra Campbell, and family after complications from pneumonia.
Stella was an active member of Temple Israel in Alameda for 50 years, a member of the Ritual Committee, chanted Torah on the High Holidays and sang in the choir. She was also a member of the East Bay Chevra Kadisha. Stella treasured the many friends and the community she had in Alameda.
In 2019 she moved from her home in Alameda to live closer to her children in Oregon. We were so lucky to have her close to us these past five years. Remembrances may be sent to Zohra Campbell, [email protected].
Susan Ellen Rosenberg
June 20, 1942–Dec. 11, 2024
Susan Ellen Rosenberg, 82, of San Francisco, Calif., died surrounded by her loving family on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband of sixty years, Edwin “Roddy” Rosenberg, and her brother, Jerome Miller, and is survived by her three children, David Rosenberg (Liz), Mark Rosenberg (Eileen) and Sandi Loftus (Jared), and six grandchildren, Ally and Jake Rosenberg, Chelsea and Liv Loftus, and Hannah and Zach Rosenberg.
Sue was born in Brooklyn, NY, to Martha and Sam Miller, on June 20, 1942. The family moved to San Francisco in 1955, settling in the Marina district. She attended Marina Middle School and Washington High School and was an active member of B’nai B’rith Girls, where she made many lifelong friendships. Sue met Roddy, the love of her life, when the two were just 15 years old, and they married on Dec. 15, 1962. Their union of sixty years was a testament to their love and devotion, and together they built a beautiful life centered on love of family and dear friends.
Sue was deeply dedicated to her Jewish community. She held leadership roles, including President of the Sisterhood of Congregation Sherith Israel, and was actively involved in the San Francisco Jewish Federation. Her volunteer efforts extended to Brandeis Day School, San Francisco Jewish Home for the Aged, temple gift shops and even serving as the beloved Girl Scout cookie mom for many years.
As a natural extension of her expertise as a travel agent with On the Road Again Travel in San Francisco, Sue loved to travel with Roddy and friends, creating unforgettable memories as they explored the world together. From climbing the Great Wall of China to embarking on an African safari and later discovering a love of cruising, there weren’t many places they didn’t visit. The two spent more than twenty summers on their boat at Tinsley Island with their St. Francis Yacht Club friends, bringing them joy and lasting connections.
Family was the cornerstone of Sue’s life. She and Roddy prioritized creating a welcoming home, moving later in life from the city to a large house with a pool in the East Bay so their family could gather and create cherished memories. Sue nurtured relationships across generations and maintained lasting friendships spanning more than fifty years from every chapter of her life.
Sue’s welcoming attitude knew no bounds; she opened her home not only to friends and family, but also to those who were far from their own, always a warm and gracious host. She was known for her honesty and candor which often led to loads of laughter and she never turned down a glass of Sauvignon Blanc or a Maker’s Mark Manhattan. Sue loved bringing people together for occasions filled with joy and love.
A memorial service was held at Beth Chaim Congregation in Danville, Calif., on Dec. 13. Contributions in Sue’s memory may be made to the Camp Newman Brotman Scholarship Fund at URJ Camp Newman.