Drucilla Cortell Gensler

Drucilla Cortell Gensler died peacefully on the morning of July 20th in her home in Mill Valley, California.

The only child of Robert and Marie Cortell, Drue was born on New Year’s Day, 1936 in New York City. She did her early education at Barnard School for Girls and her University studies at Middlebury College in Vermont where she met Arthur Gensler, her husband of nearly 60 years.

Drue focused her energy on many community and charitable activities, and took her volunteer and philanthropic activities seriously. She was an early and active participant in the Women’s Movement, a supporter of Title 9 legislation, and a founding member of the Women’s Center at Chellis House at Middlebury. For ten years, she served on the Board of Trustees of Middlebury College and was past President of the Initiative to Educate Afghan Women (IEAW), an organization that brings Afghani women to the U.S., offering them an opportunity to achieve undergraduate degrees and return home with tools to improve the situation in Afghanistan. She maintained a life-long passion for the arts, especially theater and music, and was a long-time trustee of the Marin Theater Company and supporter of the San Francisco Symphony. She served actively on and chaired many other committees, boards, commissions, organizations and fundraising efforts.

One of Drue’s most important accomplishments was, with her husband, the founding of Gensler, today the largest global design firm in the world. She served on the Board of Directors for many years and had a passion for working with the women in the firm, encouraging them to grow and take on leadership roles.

For Drue, family and friends were everything. She was a dedicated wife and mother, and doted on and nurtured her 10 grandchildren. Her generosity of spirit, sense of humor and fun was magnetic. She surrounded herself with friends of every age, constantly organizing social events and other activities. Her annual “Crazy Ladies” holiday party for her women friends was legendary.

She was an avid traveler, traversing the globe with her husband on many of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art trips and organizing trips with her friends and family. For many years, the family’s annual holiday in Hawaii was a highlight of her year.

Drue lived her life to the fullest. Her passion for life was infectious all the way to the end.

Drue is survived by her husband, Arthur Gensler and their four sons and their families: David and his children (Aaron, Thisbe, Dunia and Pales) with Alisoun, Robert and his wife Gillian, Kenneth and his children (Morgan, Jake and Sam) with Jennifer, and Douglas and his wife Kinzie and their children (Cortie, Cailin and Mamie).

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Institute for the Education of Afghan Women (ieaw. org or PO Box 603188, Providence, RI 02906), or the Middlebury College Women’s Center at Chellis House.

A celebration of her life will be held at a later date.