Else Merete Innes

Else Merete Innes passed away peacefully on Nov 2nd, 2022 after a long illness. She is survived by two children, daughter, Kim and son, Robert, son-in-law, Jeffrey, 12 grandchildren (Elijah and Kestrel Innes-Wimsatt, David, Siobhan, and Tuleagh Innes-Gawn, Guru Simrat Larson, Siri Dharma and Guru Amrit Khalsa, Lan Anh, Jenipher, and Van Innes, and Tram Sparks), and five great grand-children.  She was pre-deceased by two sons, Erik and Sardar Singh, three daughter-in-laws (Glynis, Lan, and Seva Kaur), and one grandson, Andy. She was many things throughout her long, rich, and full life- A devoted mother, grandmother, cousin, and aunt, a loyal friend, an active and engaged church elder, a beloved teacher, an accomplished hospital administrator, an experienced and fearless traveler, and a welcoming and generous host with a talent for gathering and connecting friends and relatives.  A gifted linguist, Else spoke 4 languages, and was bilingual in two (Danish and English). Her energy, optimism, resilience, and uncanny skills at scrabble and crossword were legendary. 

Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Else moved to San Francisco at age 3 with her parents, Danish Consul General Axel Sporon-Fiedler and his wife Karen, and became a citizen of the U.S. following the end of WWII.  She attended Burke’s High school, going on to complete her Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkley, where she met her future husband, Benjamin D. Innes. She worked for many years as a high school German teacher, beloved by her students, then transitioned to hospital administration after earning her MBA at night school.  

She was an avid traveler, visiting over 25 countries, including destinations as far flung as Iran, Australia, India, and Russia. She never tired of exploring new places, new cultures, and new cuisines. After her retirement, Else (also known as Nønne by her Danish relatives) took one or more of her children and/or grandchildren on an overseas trip almost every year, and planned extended stays in her beloved Denmark every summer, reconnecting with her large family there. 

Else was a truly remarkable woman who touched the lives of many people. She will be much missed. 

Else’s memorial service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ross on March 9th at 1 PM.  To post tributes, memories or photos, please go to https://www.kudoboard.com/boards/AMma4mdk. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. John’s Church (https://www.stjohnsross.org/give/) or to Park Merced Assisted Living in Merced (https://www.amiesseniorcare.com/parkmerced).

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