Wave Geber Obituary & Memorial Information:

Wave Geber Obituary & Memorial Information

Wave

If the measure of our lives is based on how many people we have loved, how many lives we have touched and how many have loved us in return, Wave was a star. And the star that shone so bright and sweet and gentle and wise has left us and moved on into the universe. Wave Geber died in peace on November 4, 2011 in her home with close friends and her devoted partner Mitchell by her side. The cause of death was stage four metastasized breast cancer.

In July 2008, Wave began her blog Wavesworld (www.wavesworld.typepad.com) by stating that she was four years past her expiration date: “Perhaps that is why I am feeling the need to write, the desire to leave my mark, to tell my story. . . and I'm thinking that I want to write about you - my friends, and the other lovely parts of life that make me want to stay.” With her blog she discovered herself as a writer who could move others with humor, compassion and wisdom. Through her blog, those who hadn’t met her got a peek at the beauty her friends had always known.

Wave was born Beverly Geber in Brooklyn, New York on September 4, 1956. She was the first child of five and the only daughter. When she was eight years old the family moved to Hightstown, New Jersey, where she lived until she moved to San Francisco when she was 18.

Wave was a woman of her time. She spoke from the influences of the tarot, astrology, yoga, Oprah, Amma and the Dalai Lama. She loved keeping tabs on the famous and had a brief stint as spiritual advisor and friend to a few Hollywood celebrities.

But what Wave loved most was being in the home that she shared with Mitchell; hanging out with close friends, dancing, singing with the karaoke machine, playing games, enjoying good food and laughing. Wave loved to laugh. She was a great dancer and singer, and she knew the lyrics to just about every song ever written.

Wave was a mother to many; her love, engagement, curiosity and encouragement were bestowed on her friends and the people she worked with. She was a gifted healer. Her approach was always insightful and nurturing, with the ability to reflect back to others the gifts inside of them that they often could not see themselves.

Wave held a B.A. from Antioch and a Master’s degree in counseling at the California Institute for Integral Studies. For the past fifteen years she worked for the Family Service Agency, directing a program called T-Rapp. The project brought teen moms into public schools to talk about the realities of life as teenage mothers. Wave worked with inner city teens who she referred to as “my girls.” She loved her girls, and they loved her in return. Wave remained friends with them long after they had graduated from the program.

**Wave knew what that meant because she too was once a girl who pushed out on her own from her hometown, found her way, trusted her instincts, developed her courage, and kept her heart wide open. And with her willingness to keep looking at herself, her talent for appreciating the world around her and her gift of caring about others, she more than made her mark.

She is survived by her mother, Jackie Geber, her four brothers Alan, George, Larry and David, her partner Mitchell and her beloved cats Buttons, Ollie and Poppy. Her father Morris died in 1997. She had ten nieces and nephews with whom she had close and loving relationships.

For those of us who knew and loved Wave, our lives have been forever changed by her life and her passing. She will always live in our hearts.

Donations in Wave’s memory can be made to The Elephant Sanctuary (www.elephants.com), Metastatic Breast Cancer Information and Support (www.bcmets.org), and the Breast Cancer Action Network (www.bcaction.org). A memorial will be held at Martin De Porres House, 225 Potrero Avenue, San Francisco, December 4th at 3:00 PM.

Comments

[Kim]

Mitchell:

I am of course, so sorry to hear this. As a stage IV bc cancer patient, I followed her blog. She seemded like an AWESOME woman - one much braver than I.

with love,
Kim

[laura vigiano]

dear mitchell,
i am so sorry for your loss. and the world's loss. i am crying. i didn't know wave was dying. i've been self-absorbed and now reading her blog and knowing she has gone i feel my life will change out of respect for how she lived her life; she taught me so much in the little time we knew each other. i love you wave, darling. you will always be remembered and never forgotten. i will sing and dance and plant plants and love more generously because you showed me how precious life is and how to live with love.

[Karen Baker]

Dear Mitchell,

I'm another with stage IV breast cancer who followed Wave's blog for the last year since my diagnosis with mets.

So sad to hear of her passing. My thoughts are with you and her family at this time.

[lynnie]

Friends; Wave passed away Friday Nov.4 at 11:40 pm. Mitchell was by her side, and she was surrounded by loved friends who kept vigil with her all day until she passed, and after. She died with tremendous grace and dignity; in peace with her life and her transition. She traveled the paths of her illness with clarity and courage and approached this new journey with the same spirit. We are all devastated at our loss, but so very grateful to have had her in our lives. You will live in our hearts forever Wave. Beautiful journeys dear friend.

[nerissa]

Enjoy your new place Wave. I can hear you singing now, and am humming along with you. I will never forget you.

[Gwen]

Dear Mitchell,
Sending our condolences to you. Reading Waves blog I wish I got to know her better. again, so sorry for your/everyones loss.
Gwen and Barry Greenberg

[Melissa]

Dear Mitchell,
I am so sorry to hear about Wave. I don't even have the words to express my feelings. Wave was such a force of nature and I am so glad to have known her when I did. I know how much she has always loved you and I am so glad to hear that you were still together. My condolences.