I am posting this because people have asked me to. Emily Rose Marcus was born on December 10, 1969, in Alta Bates Hospital in Berkeley. It was a forceps delivery, and she came out with bruises on her face, yet she lived her life as a woman who prized beauty—in fashion, her own sense of style, furniture, art. Following her beloved uncle Dr. William E. Bernstein, she chose a death with dignity, and died on January 31, 2023, in her apartment in Oakland, where she had lived since 2007, after more than two years fighting against a terminal diagnosis of appendiceal cancer she had received in September 2020. Our hearts are broken.
Beautiful, wrenching, heartbreaking. I think of Emily every day, as I pass her photo on the little altar outside my bedroom, a space she shares with a few others, including my best friend Patrick (esophageal cancer), the love of my life (drowned), and my precious Lark (mini-longhaired dachshunds), who was killed by a snake last winter. Thank you for wading through your devastation to give this gift to all of us who were touched by Emily.
I remember getting tickets to Elvis Presley at The Cow Palace in 1977, but she got sick and couldn’t go. I promised to get tickets the next time he came around…
Dear Greil and Jenny, I am a friend of Jo Anne's and have heard her rave about you and your daughters ever since we met over 40 years ago. Thank you for writing this, Greil. How wonderful that Emily had such a loving and devoted family who appreciated her. I am so sorry for your loss.
What a huge loss for you, your immediate and extended family. She sounds like she approached life with gusto, and it was cruelly cut short. My deepest condolences; as we say here, "Kia kaha" - stay strong.
My sincere condolences on Emily’s passing Mr. Marcus. Emily and I dated briefly in what I think would have been 2010 when we both lived in Oakland. I have a photo of the two of us plus Cecily and her husband and first born playing at Playland (Children's Fairyland) in Oakland. Emily was brilliant, talented, generous, and kind-hearted. She introduced me to some incredible music and food. Rest In Peace Em’. And thank YOU for all of your writings over the years. I’ve always been a big fan.
So sorry friend. Love.
Beautiful, wrenching, heartbreaking. I think of Emily every day, as I pass her photo on the little altar outside my bedroom, a space she shares with a few others, including my best friend Patrick (esophageal cancer), the love of my life (drowned), and my precious Lark (mini-longhaired dachshunds), who was killed by a snake last winter. Thank you for wading through your devastation to give this gift to all of us who were touched by Emily.
I miss her every day.
I remember getting tickets to Elvis Presley at The Cow Palace in 1977, but she got sick and couldn’t go. I promised to get tickets the next time he came around…
I am so sorry. May her memory be a blessing.
Dear Greil and Jenny, I am a friend of Jo Anne's and have heard her rave about you and your daughters ever since we met over 40 years ago. Thank you for writing this, Greil. How wonderful that Emily had such a loving and devoted family who appreciated her. I am so sorry for your loss.
Shifra Sharlin
God bless. May her memory be a blessing.
Thank you, Greil. Thank you, Jennie. Thank you, Emily.
Thank you, Greil.
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This made me tear up a bit. thanks for writing it… Emily is in my thoughts!
A beautiful tribute to my oldest friend. Deep love and blessings. Bekka
What a huge loss for you, your immediate and extended family. She sounds like she approached life with gusto, and it was cruelly cut short. My deepest condolences; as we say here, "Kia kaha" - stay strong.
Beautiful, Greil. My condolences. Sending you and yours all the love.
🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜🖤💜
My sincere condolences on Emily’s passing Mr. Marcus. Emily and I dated briefly in what I think would have been 2010 when we both lived in Oakland. I have a photo of the two of us plus Cecily and her husband and first born playing at Playland (Children's Fairyland) in Oakland. Emily was brilliant, talented, generous, and kind-hearted. She introduced me to some incredible music and food. Rest In Peace Em’. And thank YOU for all of your writings over the years. I’ve always been a big fan.
Love this so much, Greil. Thinking of you, Jenny and Cecily. Sending all my love, Belle.