Amber Marie Daniels' Obituary
Name of Deceased: Amber Marie Daniels
Date of Birth: June 29, 1970 Date of Death: November 28, 2015
Birthplace: San Jose, California
Resident of: Oakland, California
Husband: Brian Cameron Folk
Children: (by marriage) Aya Folk, Galen Folk
Number of grandchildren: 0
Also survived by: her mother, Joyce Daniels; her sister, Sarah Daniels; her aunt and uncle, Cheryl and David Lobenberg; her cousin, Amy Lobenberg; her aunt and uncle, Marie Therese and Joseph Gorszwick; and her cousins Erick Gorszwick and Marck Gorszwick. Her father, Laurence Daniels, preceded her in death.
Amber loved to learn and to teach. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Religion and Philosophy from James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia; and a Masters of Social Work Degree from University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. She lived and worked for many years in Detroit, Michigan, where she was employed by Southwest Solutions. She held a special place in her heart for the city of Detroit. She also resided in Guadalajara, Mexico for a year where she taught English and connected very deeply to the culture. She returned to California within the past ten years, where she was employed by Go Kids, Inc. in Gilroy, La Familia Counseling Service in Hayward, and most recently, A Better Way, Inc. in Berkeley. She also served as a faculty volunteer at SAVE (Safe Alternatives to Violent Environments), where she educated future advocates on the impact of violence in children. Most recently, she began a free book program for low-income families at La Familia Counseling Services and A Better Way. She believed that books had a healing quality and that everyone was entitled to them.
Amber Daniels was a force to be reckoned with; strong, brilliant, generous, and extraordinarily kind. She was a fierce advocate for families and children, both in her personal and professional life. She was extremely dedicated in fundraising and charitable organizing for disenfranchised and underserved children and families, focusing in particular on issues involving unaccompanied minors, asylum, and immigration and discrimination matters. Amber was an active leader with Genesis, a local faith-based community organizing and social justice group. She was also a very active member of First Congregational Church of Oakland. She delighted in hiking and running, and participated in several runs for charities over the years. Amber enjoyed being in the mountains and at the ocean, and traveling with her husband, family and friends. Her smile, spirit and sense of humor brought a bright light into any room. She knew how to bring people together, and was loved by so many. All who knew her marveled at her passion, skills and dedication to making her community and the greater world a better place.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to First Congregational Church of Oakland (2501 Harrison Street, Oakland, CA 94613; checks payable to FCCO); or A Better Way (www.abetterway.net); or to Amber’s new family to cover this unexpected loss (checks payable to Brian Folk, 5117 Lawton Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618 or online at https://www.gofundme.com/love4amberdaniels in Amber’s memory; or to an organization of your choosing.
Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Amber’s life to be held on December 19 at 11:00 am at First Congregational Church of Oakland, 2501 Harrison Street, Oakland CA 94613.
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