Mildred (Mitzi) Celia Marcus Sapper
January 24, 1928 - December 14, 2022
Resident of San Jose
Mitzi Sapper was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend. She died on December 14, 2022, a youthful 94, surrounded by her loving family, while in Reno, Nevada for her grandson's college graduation.
Mitzi was born to Ernest Marcus and Florence Garfinkle Marcus on January 24, 1928, in Richmond, California. On February 6, 1949, she married her high school sweetheart, Gerald H. Sapper, who predeceased her in 1983. Mitzi graduated from UC Berkeley in 1950, with a degree in general education (political science, history, and English) but devoted her life to caring for children Ellyn, Judith, and Ernie. After her husband's death she returned to the workforce in a variety of clerical jobs, retiring as a bookkeeper from Tri-County Apartment Association. After many years of waiting, she was delighted by the birth of her grandson Joshua and cherished her time with him, attending his piano recitals and trumpet concerts.
Because she was an only child, Mitzi loved family gatherings, especially with her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Janet and Joe Grodin and their daughters Sharon and Lisa; cousins Mort and Millie Marcus and their children Irving, Alan, Celeste and Suzanne; and cousin Susan Jaffe and family. She enjoyed celebrating family life cycle events and loved to knit baby items for new family members.
Mitzi was a kind and gentle woman who will be deeply missed by all who knew her. She was thoughtful and caring and enjoyed being involved with her community-in her children's schools, as an area captain for the Heart Association, with the Temple Emanu-El Sisterhood and Caring Committee, and as a member of Knitzvah of Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, knitting slippers, blankets and baby sweaters to donate to charity. Mitzi had many interests, including playing bridge, doing daily crossword puzzles, cultural outings, music, playing her piano, gardening, travel, and holiday cooking and baking. She was an avid reader, always kept abreast of current events, and was very supportive of women's rights and civil rights.
Donations in her honor may be made to Temple Emanu-El of San Jose, Jewish Family Services of Silicon Valley, or the American Heart Association.
A private interment has been held. A celebration of Mitzi's life will be held on January 24, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Emanu-El, 1010 University Ave, San Jose, and also will be streamed live at templesanjose.org/livestreaming; reception to follow at the Temple.