Erika Bailey

Erika Bailey, 76, passed away on June 29, 2017, following a stroke. She is greatly missed by her husband, family and friends.

Erika was born in 1941 in Munich, Germany, during World War II. Soon after, her father was killed fighting in the German Army. Throughout her life, Erika studied and discussed U.S. and international politics, and European history in particular, seeking to more deeply understand the causes and remedies for international conflict.

During her early life, she was raised in Munich by her mother and grandmother. At age 14, she moved to the U.S. with her mother Erna and stepfather Paul Wagner, a Colonel in the U.S. Army. She spent her high school years in Virginia and Indiana and graduated from Indiana University with a B.A. in History. After graduation, she and a friend drove crosscountry to California in a Mustang convertible. Erika settled in the Bay Area and had a long career as a secretary and executive assistant at companies including Continental Can Co., Digital Equipment Corp., Silicon Graphics and HP.

In 1973, Erika married Philip L. Bailey, and the couple made their home in Menlo Park. Before and after retirement, they enjoyed many trips to Germany, France, and other parts of Europe--appreciating centuries of culture in the cities, and hiking in the Alps with lifelong German friends.

Erika was intellectually curious, passionate about environmental preservation and politics, and active on behalf of both causes. For many years, she was a volunteer and docent at Filoli House and Gardens in Woodside, and she took great pleasure in caring for her own garden. She was a classical-music lover, a fine cook, and a kind and thoughtful wife, sister, stepmother and friend.

Erika is survived by her husband Philip, brother Jack Wagner of Panama City Beach, FL, stepchildren Janet Bailey of San Francisco, Bruce Bailey of Centennial, CO, and Jennifer Bailey of San Jose, and seven nieces. Donations in her memory may be sent to Peninsula Open Space Trust, https:// openspacetrust.org/