In Our Care
Jane S. Phibbs
1932 ~ 2022
After a long life extremely well lived, Jane S. Phibbs, our family matriarch, passed away in December. Born to Donald K. Sargent and Jane S. Sargent in upstate NY, she was the oldest of 2 children. She earned a degree in fashion design at Syracuse University where she met her future husband and lifelong partner of 71 years, Roderic H. Phibbs. They were married and remained in Syracuse where Rod attended Medical School and there began the journey of a truly remarkable woman.
A medical residency at UCSF brought them West where they set down permanent roots in Mill Valley. She raised four boys, Ciaran, Chris, Rann and Peter but those who knew her best would tell you she had 6 sons. Consistent with her magnanimous and open personality, she acted as “stand-in” Mom to Hossein and Allan, and welcomed them into the fold of her lively household as one of her own.
Jane’s first job was as a master seamstress, a skill she maintained throughout her life. She even had her own design label in Syracuse and made bespoke dresses for numerous women. In San Francisco she taught as a mentor in the “Poverty Project” at Hunters Point, teaching new mothers how to stretch a dollar and a dinner. Eventually, she would follow in her father’s footsteps, an acclaimed architect and Dean of the School of Architecture at Syracuse University, and hone her drafting skills to become a kitchen designer. This led to a position at Lamperti where she left her mark on many kitchens throughout Marin. Also influenced by her father’s love of gardening, Jane never met a bulb that she didn't like. Gardening was one of her passions and every spring her yard was painted with her favorite blue and yellow blossoms.
Jane was a multitalented and multidimensional woman. While raising her boys she also bred golden retrievers. The household never had fewer than 2 goldens in residence and many of her friends had offspring from the litters that she bred. Not one to ever sit still, Jane’s talents were many. She was a prolific needle pointer and knitter, all original designs. Those that she loved the most have many of her creations. She was a culinary maverick, cooking dishes inspired by the seasonal bounties from Rod’s incredible vegetable garden before it was en vogue to eat “farm to table" and organic. Her binders of clipped recipes are legendary. They were her culinary bibles, filled with tested and vetted recipes that became a staple of meals at the family round table. Her holiday baking bonanza was a tradition to behold. Family and friends, far and wide, looked forward to the annual delivery of her cookie and cake trays, a tradition she upheld every year.
An avid baseball fan, she remained loyal to her original NY Giants who eventually became the SF Giants. During the baseball season, she was always listening to KNBR’s live broadcasts. Otherwise, she was tuned in to KQED for classical music that provided the background track of her life in Mill Valley.
She and Rod loved to travel internationally but most especially to their spot on Tomales Bay. It is here that they both became involved with MALT and the preservation of open space. She was an extraordinary woman and if you were lucky enough to call her mom, grandma, mother in law, or friend you were blessed.
She is survived by her husband Rod, her sons Ciaran (Jill), Chris (Renee), Rann, and Peter, her grandchildren Meagan (Mike), Shannon, Brianna, Claire, Savannah and Jack and her great granddaughter, Ella Jane, who carries both her namesake and remarkable likeness, and her dog “T”. She will be dearly missed.
A celebration of her life will be held in the spring at her favorite lunch spot.
John Charles Koepke
March 28, 1933 ~December 20, 2022
John Charles Koepke passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Mill Valley on December 20th, 2022. He was able to visit with all of his family the day before.
John was born on March 28, 1933 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Valerie Marie Chicoine and Charles Gustave Koepke.
John graduated from Taft High School in Chicago Illinois in 1950; Northwestern Uni- versity in 1954; and Harvard Business School in 1959. He served in the Army during the Korean War and was stationed in Whittier, Alaska.
After the Army John worked as a management consultant for George Fry & As- sociates, a management consulting firm in Chicago. He met his future wife Peggy Ann Weber who was attending Northwestern and they were married in Peggy’s home state of Nebraska in 1960. They had 2 daughters both born in Evanston Illinois. John and his family were soon transferred to San Francisco so that John could head up the San Fran- cisco office of Fry Consultants.
They made their home in Mill Valley, CA where they continued to live and raise their family. John worked later for Marcona Corporation and during his career, John and his colleagues started three different companies, mostly focused on energy or trans- portation. In his later years, John worked from home as a contract management con- sultant. John was the founder of the Scott Valley Swim and Tennis Club in Mill Valley and was its President for the first 5 years. John spoke at the Banquet honoring the 50th Anniversary of the Club last October and recounted some of the difficulties faced by him and his board in getting the Club started. John was also a member of the Scott Val- ley Homeowners Association and was its President one year.
John was an avid golfer and skier and was a life-long lover of classical music as well as being an ardent train buff. John is survived by his wife Peggy as well as their two daughters, Kathryn Koepke Fanning and Karen Koepke Thiebaud. He is also survived by their four grandchildren, Michael Adam Fanning, Emily Ann Fanning, Colette LeBaron Thiebaud and Danielle LeBaron Thiebaud. He was predeceased by his par- ents, his brother Kenneth Walter Koepke, and his son in law Paul LeBaron Thiebaud.
A private family service will be held at a later date. Memorial contributions may be sent to the Western Golf Association’s Evans Scholars Foundation or to Northwestern University.
Julia Michaela Rantama
July 30, 1995 ~December 11, 2022
Julia Michaela Rantama, 27, passed away on December 11th, 2022, as a result of an automobile accident. Julia was born in Vantaa, Finland, on July 30th, 1995, and moved with her family to California in 2009.
As a young child, Julia was feisty in defence of what she felt was right and extremely loyal to her family, earning her the nickname “Pikku Myy” from the Moomin characters.
Upon entering grade school, Julia began to take a special interest in being with and caring for young children. This led to her regularly being welcomed to parties and events by adults with small children who knew her. She thus naturally formed a special bond with her younger sister and brother, ten and twelve years her junior, respectively, which remained throughout her life. She regularly volunteered to babysit them, and they were a frequent topic of conversation with her friends.
Julia was energetic, kind, a nature lover, funny, gritty, feisty, helpful, supportive, spiritual, and deeply passionate about life. Julia pursued collegiate and independent studies in nutrition, physical health, mental health, and spirituality. Through her work as a trainer and therapist, Julia enjoyed supporting and giving guidance to other people relating to exercise, food, mental health, self-respect, and love.
Already upon entering high school, Julia took an interest in sustainable living. As a freshman, she once admonished a friend who placed an empty recyclable bottle into a garbage can, forcing her friend to pick it out and place it into a recycling container. Her friend hesitated, as the garbage can was quite filthy, saying “it’s only one bottle.” Julia replied “if everyone thought like that, no one would recycle anything;” her friend retrieved the bottle. She once demonstrated to her friends and family that she could reduce all waste she produced in one month down to what she could hold in the palms of her hands. Julia ultimately became vegan, engaged in studies of sustainable agriculture and zero-waste programs, and became a vocal advocate for these ways of living. She succeeded in converting much of her family to a vegetarian lifestyle.
Julia demonstrated great physical abilities and a particular talent for karate as a young child and passionately continued a pursuit of Jiu-jitsu as an adult. This ultimately led to her pursuit as a physical trainer as an adult.
With her partner Bryan, Julia had plans to start a family in Santa Cruz, California, and was expecting their first child at the time of her passing.
Julia is survived by her brother Luca, sister Sara, sister Jenny of Finland, mother Titta Ahola, step-father Andrew Bright, partner Bryan Gerges, together with many cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents in California and Finland. She will be particularly missed by her aunt Petra, aunt Marianne, friend Halo, friends-of-family Viena and Eero Pohjakallia and Johanna and Bobi Nikolov.
Barbara K. Martin
September 14, 1945 ~ December 20, 2022
Barbara died peacefully in her own home after battling Alzheimer’s for 7 years. Born in Canton, Ohio she left home after high school to attend Bellview School of Nursing in New York City, graduating with honors In 1968 she took a short trip to San Francisco with a friend and never left the city by the bay. Although nursing was her profession, her true passion and expertise was business. She had a gift of starting up companies and making them thrive. Her first was the Meat Market coffee house in 1970, long before Starbucks. It boomed and was always crowded with variety of folks. After that some of her startup business’s included Center Court Coffee at StonesTown Mall, joining the first “food court”, San Fransisco State coffee concession (the first), Flat Iron Deli in San Rafael and Rainbow Home Care offering round the clock care to the elderly.
Her other interest included tending to her gardens, in ground and deck which she would work on for days Her thumb was very green. When not gardening her love was the kitchen where she loved cooking international favorites and was a natural born chef. She loved her cats. She was a mentor to many who wanted to learn business, and a second mom to those that needed one. She traveled to many countries including India, Africa, Pakistan, Italy, Yugoslavia (then), Spain, and others. She also drove the ALCAN highway to Alaska. They were always an independent venture, many with long time friend Frank.
Barbara had many friends through out many states and countries. People would gravitate to her and she hosted many parties with an eclectic group of folks. Always enjoyable times.
She was preceded in death by her mom Doris Martin, Dad Perry Martin, brother Jim Martin, and long time friend Sandy Overcasher She is survived by Carla Martin (sister in law), nieces, nephew and cousins, Frank Annicelli (long time friend), Sharon Tong Pierson (long time friend) Curtis Chan (first business partner) Ethyl Wolvovitz (New York), Gail Baker (50 yr friend) and many others who loved her carefree, social nature.
William Carl Bottger III
January 6, 1969 ~ December 10, 2022
William Carl Bottger III died at home surrounded by his family on December 10, 2022, in Larkspur, California. He was 53. Carl was born January 6, 1969, in Charlottesville, Virginia. Services will be held at noon on Tuesday Dec 20 at Fernwood Cemetery in Mill Valley.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Carl’s dear friends at 501-3C Foundation, The Jardin De Iglesia. Venmo Jeff Jenkins @JardinJourneys
Crystal Ruskin Benbow
Crystal Benbow, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt departed us at home on her final voyage surrounded by family, age 83. Crystal’s earlier 19 cruises throughout the world and college graduation excursion took her to 58 countries and all seven continents. While Crystal enjoyed travel, the true love and focus of her life was family, especially grandchildren, Kristina, Alisha, Jack and Matt, sons and spouses, Tim & Teresa and Derek & Lisa, and husband, Bob.
Crystal was born to Lois and Jack Ruskin in Whiting, Indiana, joining sister Cynthia. She attended George Rogers Clark High School, class of 1957, played cornet in the band and became a pianist. At Purdue University she was a scholarship honor student majoring in sociology, a Boilermaker cheerleader, and a member of her cherished Kappa Alpha Theta sorority.
Upon graduation in 1961 she was employed at American National Bank and Trust Company, Chicago, first as a teller and then in the personnel office. It was the age of inter-office mail and one day she received a date invitation written on a beer coaster from soon-to-be-husband, Robert Benbow. Married May 4, 1963, their 59 years of love began. After allowing some time for the beginning of “travel”, they relocated to Massachusetts in 1968, living in historic Concord for 21 years where they raised their two life-long Red Sox fans. A second relocation brought them to California, where Crystal lived the remaining 31 years of her life in Tiburon. In 1980, she segued into a decades-long office management career, on the East Coast at Millbrook Psychiatric Services and then Networks Family Counseling Service in San Francisco. A testimony to Crystal’s care for “family” is that she insisted on personally driving cross-country from Massachusetts to California to join Bob because of her love for our Bichon Frisés. She did not want to risk Cotton and Brandy flying to the West Coast in the luggage compartment of an airplane!
The family especially wishes to thank Crystal’s thoughtful and wonderful caregivers, Ane and Paulini. A memorial service will be held at Fernwood Funeral Home in Mill Valley on Sunday, December 18. In memory of Crystal, donations may be made to Kappa Alpha Theta, payable to: Alpha Chi Chapter Educational Foundation, P.O. Box 3754, West Lafayette, IN 47996.
