Paying Tribute to Judy Reinstadler

Judy (Berger) Reinstadler passed away on Sunday, November 29, 2020.

In her 76 years, she led a good, fun, fulfilling life. Being a San Francisco native in her mid-20s as the Hippie era began, she felt like she was just slightly too old to become one herself. But that didn't stop her from enjoying the lifestyle. She was, for example, a regular at the Fillmore. Talking with her over the years, we would keep finding new legendary bands that she didn't even remember seeing; "Oh, Led Zeppelin was there? That's when I was going, so I must have seen them." Judy always took it as a huge point of pride that Bill Graham himself kicked her out one night, because he didn't believe she was old enough to be there.
Judy's father, Ed Berger, was a longtime San Francisco fireman. He worked with another longtime fireman, Joe Reinstadler. It was through them that she met Joe's son, Al Reinstadler. The two of them would marry in 1970. Their union would produce a son, Erich (me),  in 1974, and a daughter, Aileen, in 1977. Judy was a great, loving mom, who did her best to raise Erich and Aileen. And even after their divorce, Judy and Al remained friends until Al's death.

Judy's health began to take a turn in 2005, and by 2008 she was unable to work. It was then that I became her caregiver. I took care of her virtually every day as her health declined. And then the inevitable happened.
And that is why I come asking for help. Being a caregiver doesn't pay well. It kept us in the apartment, and all her medical bills paid. But it didn't allow me to save any money for the funeral. I have found a crematorium that can take care of everything for roughly $1,000, but that is money I simply do not have yet. And the hospital will not hold on to her for an extended period of time. So I need your help to bring her home, one last time.