My mom always had a generous heart. Even though she grew up in a working class family in San Francisco, she was a great saver. She would tell me stories about the depression when she was a young girl. The impact of those early days stayed with her. Mom could find bargains at the grocery store and make coupons stretch farther than most! In her later years at her home in Sausalito, she had canned goods and foodstuff piled in the closets and garage. She was mindful that lean times could come again.

Mom became a top model in San Francisco and worked to support her parents. She married, had me and, subsequently, divorced. She sold real estate in Cupertino several days a week to put me through private school. She lived with her parents in the Sunset District while I was growing up, commuting 90 miles a day, making the best of being a single mom, and trying to save money.

I went to college in Berkeley and Mom finally had saved enough to buy her first and only home. She worked as a receptionist until her retirement. Mom helped me financially with both my home purchases, bought a new car, and gave her old car to a struggling friend. She gave annually to so many needy causes. She helped out weekly at St. Anthony's in San Rafael, and regularly took her poodles to visit those in convalescent hospitals . She was generous with her time and with her pocketbook even though she would not have made it financially without social security. She was truly remarkable and loving in her lifetime.

It seems only fitting that at her death she would continue to be generous in her desire to participate in the donor program. She gave the Gift of Life - her liver and two kidneys - and became the oldest donor in Kaiser' s history.

I am so very proud of her. I miss her terribly.

Cherrie Ross