Orilla Globus

Orilla Globus, formerly Orilla

Alvina Geyer, born in North

Dakota, died June 9, 2009 at

the age of 85. She lived a long

life -- healthy, independently,

and generously, until just two

months ago, then passed away at

her home in Santa Cruz, California,

with family by her side.

She is survived by three children, six grandchildren, one

great grandchild, three brothers and many, many, nieces,

nephews and their children. Rill was born and raised on a

farm in North Dakota, one of nine brothers and sisters.

Though born into a home that had no running water or

electricity, she lived to surf the ‘net. She was an excellent

student, received a college degree in chemistry and

later worked as a laboratory technician for Dow Chemical

Company. She moved with her family to California,

eventually settling by the ocean in Seal Beach, California.

Once her children were a little older, she earned

her Master’s Degree in Library Science and became an

elementary school librarian, a fitting expression of her

life-long passion for reading and books. Later, she taught

4th and 5th graders as an elementary school teacher for

many years, forming deep and lasting friendships with

her colleagues. Her retirement years were spent in Santa

Cruz with her children, helping to raise her grandchildren,

enjoying great friends at the De Anza mobile home park,

engaging in many volunteer activities (such as tutoring,

reading to adults and children, staffing the local public

library, and recycling with the Grey Bears). Most recently,

she continued her lifelong passion for learning by taking

up tai-chi, mahjong, and Shakespeare.

Needless to say, she will be greatly missed.

Gifts to your local public library may be given in lieu of

flowers. There will be a celebration of her life and memorial

service in Santa Cruz, CA on Saturday, July 11 at

3pm in the De Anza Park club house at 2395 Delaware.

For further information, contact AlGlobus@gmail.com.