Greta Bayer, Allison Goldberg, Ted Stux, Bill Shore, Erica Stux, Lydia Stux, Philip and Diana Shore in 2000
It is with great sadness that I cannot be here today to celebrate the life of our beloved aunt Greta. She lived an amazingly long life, both amazing for longevity and for her many accomplishments.
While small children we had little face-to-face time with Greta, but received birthday greetings, Hanukkah gifts and postcards with stamps from the many exotic locales she traveled to. Greta has said more than once that I get my love of traveling from her, which must be true, since I didn’t get that from either parent. In fact, I am writing these words from Meknes, Morocco.
As we got older, our contact with Greta increased with visits to California. Greta was straightforward and plain-spoken. Don’t let that beautiful, lilting Viennese accent fool you. She was a woman of strong opinions and firm convictions. I admit that as a young person in the 1970s, I sometimes chafed at her comments and attitudes. As Ted will attest, I changed my mind abruptly later in life, saying, “I may not agree or like what she has to say, but she is always right.” And she was.
I also want to remark on Greta's amazing generosity. If I came to California to attend Seder with my mother, Greta always found a bottle of wine for me to present to my hosts with her best wishes and a gift for mom. If I brought one of my boys to visit, she had a bag of toys at the ready for him.
Both my boys were absolutely devoted for their great-aunt Greta and with good reason . . . . For example, Jeff once told her that he liked the feel of fur (this is typical for individuals with autism.... they have strong sensory likes and dislikes). Greta replied that she liked fur too, and followed this up with gifts of a fake fur throw, plush pillow and furry hats for both boys. All these items are treasured mementoes.
Greta lived an incredible and long life, and my sons and I will miss her greatly.
