Floretta Lauber’s Exhibit and Biography at The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage

On behalf of Museum staff, I would like to extend sincere condolences to each and every one of you on the passing of a most dedicated family member, Floretta Lauber. I send this to all, knowing that some of you did not know her well and some did not know her at all; while some knew her as a best friend.

Floretta was an integral part of the growth of our Museum. She made the Museum visible to the public and put her life, and wallet, on the line over the years to accomplish her dreams to preserve the history of Arcadia. I know that we will continue to see her fingerprints in what we do over decades to come. She cut the ribbon in 2001 for the Museum; created our Museum Foundation and Friends of the Museum; and conducted major fundraising efforts, the fruits of which are visible in our new Museum Education Center. Our Foundation presents an annual fundraising dinner that supports the continued preservation of Arcadia’s artifacts, purchase of artifacts and enables us to present educational programming. This year our Foundation and Friends will be unveiling a newly-created life-like figure of Lucky Baldwin that will be in our Museum’s permanent exhibit for years to come. Our Friends of the Museum have created a membership body and also help to support staff during exhibit openings and programming. These things I mention here are only a part of the impacts she has made to the Museum…and her impacts throughout the City…not to mention the personal impacts to all of our lives.

This week, I will be updating Floretta’s exhibit here in the Museum, which will reflect her biography and years of service to our community. I will also be adding a blank book for anyone to come and write down their favorite memory of Floretta. I hope you will all take time out from your busy lives to put your memories down. The book will become a part of our local history archive and will be available next week. You can come as many times as you like to add to the stories.

On a personal note, myself, as I write this I hold back many tears of sorrow, but also tears of happiness from some of the memories I have and keep close. Floretta made me laugh, she made me take a look at myself, she was my mentor, friend and family. One memory comes to mind immediately: When I newly finished my Ph.D., I was sitting at the meeting room table alone with her after a Friends meeting. We had finished talking about the meeting and I looked up at her and smiled and said, “I finished my Ph.D.” She looked at me, gasped, and then I watched as tears came to her eyes. At that, tears came to my eyes as well. She made me feel proud of my accomplishments. She followed that conversation up with a luncheon to celebrate my years of hard work. I have so many stories. Some I keep to myself; others will go into our memory book here at the Museum.

Our Museum family is suffering a great loss right now. I know that Floretta would want us to keep together and keep the Museum growing toward the future. I will never say goodbye to Floretta because I see her footprints here every day.

Thank you, Floretta, for all you’ve done for the Museum and for your hard work to preserve Arcadia’s history and heritage.

All the best to everyone, Dana

Viewing: August 10, 4pm – 8pm, Monroe Room at Douglass & Zook Mortuary 600 E. Foothill Bl., Monrovia Funeral Services: August 11, 10am, Sierra Madre Congregational Church, 170 W. Sierra Madre Bl, Sierra Madre burial following funeral, Live Oak Memorial Park, Monrovia Reception: following burial, Womans Club of Arcadia, 324 S. First Ave., Arcadia

Dana Hicks, Ph.D. Curator City of Arcadia The Gilb Museum of Arcadia Heritage 380 West Huntington Drive Post Office Box 60021 Arcadia, CA 91066-6021 (626) 574-5468 www.ArcadiaCa.gov/Museum