Betty Goerke, Mill Valley Miwok scholar, dies

Betty Goerke, an author, archaeologist and anthropologist whose work centered on the Coast Miwok people, has died. She was 93.

Ms. Goerke died at her Mill Valley home on Aug. 25 due to health complications resulting from a fall in July. She was remembered by her family and friends as a fierce supporter, intense listener and loving friend.

“She was everyone’s advocate,” said Robin Heard, Ms. Goerke’s daughter. “She was always reaching out to help others, and sincerely so. She cared very, very much about the Coast Miwok people and the legend of Chief Marin.”

Ms. Goerke was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa on March 16, 1931. She grew up in Illinois and attended Radcliffe College, studying classical archaeology and music. She graduated in 1952.

She moved to San Francisco in the early 1950s after meeting her husband, Jon Goerke, and taught history at the Branson School in Ross. After temporary stays in Germany and Boston, the couple moved to Mill Valley in 1962. In 1965, she went back to school to study history and archeology at San Francisco State University.

Much of what Marin County knows about Chief Marin is credited to Ms. Goerke’s work. The research and digs she and her students did in Marin County resulted in her published work.

Her book, “Chief Marin and Discovering the Native People of Point Reyes” was published in 2012. Other works included “Chief Marin: Leader, Rebel and Legend” in 2007 and a children’s book, “Adventures of Two Coast Miwok Children” in 2020, which she gave to all third-grade teachers in Marin County for free.

“Right from the beginning she made it really apparent that she was not only a scholar of the Coast Miwok Indians but also a protector,” said Abby Wasserman, a friend who edited Ms. Goerke’s children’s book.

In 1971, Ms. Goerke began teaching anthropology and archeology at College of Marin, where she stayed for over 30 years. There, she led students on archaeological digs and field trips — including a trip to France to see cave art in the original Lascaux and trips to Mexico and Guatemala to study sites.

“She empowered us all,” said Leslie Fleming, a former student and friend. “(Students in) her classrooms were riveted. Betty was the best teacher I ever had, and I’ve heard that from many people. She just exuded a love of teaching and a love of gaining knowledge.”

Fleming said Ms. Goerke was the kind of friend you could call about anything — even thousands of miles away. In the 1990s, Fleming put this to the test when she was arrested in El Salvador doing humanitarian work. She called Ms. Goerke, who “called the right people,” which Fleming said probably saved her life.

Wasserman said when they first met in 2007 at a coffee shop, they became instant friends.

“She had this wonderful wide-ranging curiosity about people and interest in people and a generous spirit that embraced a new friend,” Wasserman said. “I felt that I’d known her forever.”

In 2008, Ms. Goerke was made an honorary elder by the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria.

“Betty was an absolutely remarkable person whose interest in the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria’s culture contributed so much to preserving our history, particularly the Coast Miwok aspects of our history,” Greg Sarris, tribal chairman with the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria said. “She will be sorely missed by our tribe. Certainly, a life well lived.”

In 2020, Ms. Goerke was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mill Valley Historical Society. She was a board member with the society since 2009, and according to Eric Macris, a former president of the Mill Valley Historical Society, she remained one “for as long as she could keep coming to meetings.” He said Ms. Goerke seemed to know everyone, had a way of getting things done, and had a talent for connecting with people.

“I used to joke with her that she was secretly in charge of the whole town,” Macris said. “She’s done so much for this community. I can’t have enough great things to say about Betty. She had a remarkable life and she lived it so well and we were lucky to have her here in Marin County.”

Debra Schwartz, a friend who walked and hiked with Ms. Goerke for years, said Ms. Goerke was as brilliant as she was gracious. She worked with Ms. Goerke on the historical society’s board and said she was the voice of reason and listening.

“Kindness first was her motto, a north star to work by,” Schwartz said.

Heard said many may not know her mother harbored an incredible talent for music: she had perfect pitch, and played piano and the harpsichord. She could hear a tune and then play it by ear alone, and often would add her own interpretations to the music as she played.

“She would be the one who would come into a party, pop herself down in front of a piano and play and sing and people would gather,” Heard said.

Ms. Goerke also danced, specifically the folk, ballroom and West Coast swing styles.

“She loved to dance and my dad and her were just darling dance partners,” Heard said. “West Coast swing was their thing. They didn’t even need music, they would just get up and dance.”

She is survived by her son Jon Goerke, and daughters Katharine Goerke and Robin Heard.