Jerri Bitler was my best friend for 18 years. It seemed like we knew each other forever until recently, now it seems like it was only a short while. I first met Jerri when she came to a puppy club meeting. I was raising Ultra, an unruly black Labrador that seemed to love Jerri! I remember handing Jerri the leash and her saying “What do you want me to do with this?” We both laughed, and that started the best friendship anybody could ever ask for.
We would talk every day; she is the one person I could call with anything on my mind and she would just listen – sometimes that’s all you need to feel at peace. No matter how my life was going, Jerri was there on both the sunny days and through the thunderstorms. She was someone that you could always count on to be there. She was a great person to be around, somebody that would take the time to talk to everybody in the room, no matter how long she had to be there. She always made people feel like they knew her forever, even if it was the first time they had met.
My heart hurts, I feel so lost without my friend, my “other mother.” I miss her so much already and wish I could hear her voice and laughter just one more time. I love you.
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| Jerri with guide dog puppy Ursalyn |
Jerri passed away peacefully on September 5, 2016. She was a puppy raising leader with the Gold Rush Guides of Sacramento for almost 15 years and raised several puppies for GDB. We are forever grateful for her dedication to our mission and we extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved her. Thank you, Jerri – you are truly missed.
My husband and I have known the Bitlers for many years. For a time Jerri and I were good friends. In 1999 we moved to Rocklin which was a little farther away. Around that time Jerri was becoming involved with GDB. I went with her to pick up puppies. I'm thinking it was the first two. Cutest pups! Wonderful facility in San Rafael! Prior to that I was with her when she brought her little dog Marta home. Jerri was a very devoted, hands on friend. She was very supportive & helpful when it came to our family. She was always there for a baby shower or wedding, Christmas shopping etc. I really appreciated her friendship. I was very happy for her that she found something so special to support and give her "all" to. I know how much she loved GDB and all her friends & service dogs. It's a great program. I know she will be missed. Deepest sympathy to our friend Jerry and everyone at GDB. Cheryl & Del Murphy
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