Roberta (Gill) Hefler

November 14, 1941 - January 8, 2024

Roberta Bruce Gill “Brucie” Hefler, passed away peacefully on January 8, 2024, at age 82 at her home in Sausalito, Calif., with her family at her side. She was born on November 14, 1941, in Portsmouth, Va., to William Coupar Gill and Roberta Bruce Nicholson. Brucie and her brothers were raised in Portsmouth by their mother following her father’s untimely death in 1945.

Brucie attended Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth, Va., and furthered her education at Mary Baldwin University in Staunton, Va., receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree. She earned a Master of Social Work degree at Tulane University in New Orleans, specializing in Social Work Theory and Practice, with concentration on family and children.

Brucie met her husband, John William Hefler in San Francisco. They were married at Trinity Episcopal Church in Portsmouth, Va., in January 1978. Their son, John David, of Willits, California was born in San Francisco.

In her career as a social worker, Brucie dedicated her time and skill to helping others; for five years with the City of Norfolk, Va., and more than 20 years with San Mateo County (CA) Children’s Protective Services. Later, Brucie spent nearly 10 years with ACCEPT, an independent international adoption agency.

With Children’s Protective Services, Brucie provided direct casework to families and children under court jurisdiction. Brucie and her colleagues pioneered a family reunification program that achieved the highest rate among California counties of children reunited with their families and not returned to foster care. The program became a model for California and for other states and received national recognition from the Children’s Bureau of the Department of Health and Welfare in Washington, D.C.

A cradle Episcopalian,

Brucie was born into Trinity Episcopal Church and later joined Christ Episcopal Church in Sausalito. She served on the Christ Church Vestry and for decades was a pillar of the Christ Church Altar Guild.

Brucie was a truly remarkable woman; a quiet friend, a compassionate, empathetic, kind, and loyal individual who touched the lives and brought joy to many. She was furiously independent in her support for women’s rights. Feisty and funny, she was always upbeat no matter what she suffered. Her legacy will be remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She created a profound impact on her community and will be greatly missed.

Brucie is survived by her husband; their son; and her brother, James Richard Gill (Francis Anne Gill) of Portsmouth; and sister-inlaw, Eva S. Gill of Virginia Beach. She was preceded in death by her parents; and her brother, William Coupar Gill.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Tulane University School of Social Work Annual Fund or the Mary Baldwin University Baldwin Fund.

A memorial service to celebrate Brucie’s life is being planned at Christ Episcopal Church in Sausalito. For details please contact the church at (415) 332-1539. A burial service will be held in the future at Trinity Episcopal Church.

For those unable to attend, the memorial service will be livestreamed:

www.christchurchsausalito.net