Merla Zellerbach | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | Myrle Carmel Burstein 1930 |
| Died | December 26, 2014 (age 84) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Author |
| Spouse(s) | Stephen Zellerbach (divorced) Fred Goerner (until his death) Lee Munson (until her death) |
| Children | Gary Zellerbach |
| Parent(s) | Elliot M. Burstein Lottie Burstein |
Merla Zellerbach, née Myrle Carmel Burstein, was born in San Francisco in 1930, the daughter of Rabbi Elliot M. and Lottie Burstein. While attending Stanford University, she met and soon thereafter married Stephen Zellerbach. They had one child, son Gary. Her literary, civic and philanthropic work began at the time of her first marriage. By the time of her death on December 26, 2014, she authored 13 well reviewed novels and five self-help medical books, was a panelist for six years on the ABC TV show Oh My Word, and a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle. Subsequently, she was Editor of the Nob Hill Gazette for twelve years. Charities she supported and/or worked for included Compassion and Choices, the Coalition on Homelessness San Francisco, the Kidney Foundation, and a dozen more.[1][2]
Her death has taken on the focus of her most important cause later in life, the “Death with Dignity” movement, spearheaded by the non-profit group, Compassion and Choices.[3] As an advocate and rallying point for this movement, to allow terminally ill patients to choose their time of death (under a strictly defined and controlled process), she generated considerable press and publicity and contributed greatly to the momentum embracing a change in the law.
- ^ Garchik, Leah (27 December 2014). "Merla Zellerbach, S.F. writer and civic leader, dies". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Zinko, Carolyne (23 November 2008). "Merla Zellerbach's Career In High Society". San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Garchik, Leah (25 January 2015). "Merla Zellerbach: A struggle to have 'death with dignity'". San Francisco Chronicle.