Walt Sommers
My memories of Nellie include tunnel of fudge cake that I would eat until I was ill. Big boxy Volvos that this diminutive women would drive around Palo Alto with great determination to get the best deals on groceries to feed her large family. I remember when she came to visit us and the kids and in my rush to get home from work to be with the family I got a speeding ticket. The next day she flew back to Palo Alto and when I went to bed that night I found a not on my pillow with a check to cover the ticket. The note said anybody who rushes back home to see his mother-in-law deserves to have his ticket paid for. I remember stopping by her house in Portola Valley after taking my step daughter to UCLA. She and Ben were so gracious and even invited us to spend the night. In my mind Nellie was always energetic, organized and involved in life but what I remember most about Nellie was infinite kindness.