Margene Branch Gerfen

Margene Branch Gerfen passed away early on February 20 in Palo Alto, CA. She is survived by her four sons—Thomas (Pamela) of San Francisco, Charles (Sarah) of Bethesda, MD, Earl (Anne) of Palo Alto, Christopher (Jennifer) of Lexington, MA—and 10 grandchildren, to whom she was a loving Grandmother and MeMe. She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Charles O. Gerfen, and her parents, Thomas W. and Elzora R. Branch.

Born Margaret Eugenia Branch in Atlanta in 1928, “Margene” was known to all around her for her bright spirit, loving heart, and contagious smile. As a child in Atlanta, she was an active member of Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church and graduated from Washington Seminary (Westminster Schools). In 1939, she was part of a harp ensemble that performed in the East Room of the White House for Mrs. Roosevelt.

While attending Stephens College in Columbia, MO, she met the love of her life, Charles Gerfen. The two married in 1948, and settled in St. Louis, where she raised her beloved sons and was a long-time member of Ladue Chapel, Old Warson Country Club, and several garden, bridge, and book clubs. Second only to her love of family and friends, was her love of flowers. She was an avid supporter of the Missouri Botanical Garden and the Naples Botanical Garden in Naples, FL, where she split her time later in life before moving to Palo Alto to be nearer to family. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her, and the world will be dimmer without her loving presence.

A visitation will be held Friday, March 1, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at HM Patterson & Son Spring Hill Chapel in Atlanta. The funeral service will be held there on Saturday, March 2 at 11:00 am, followed by internment at Westview Cemetery. The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Naples Botanical Garden in Margene’s memory.