Rachelle "Muz" Geiger

Rachelle "Muz" Geiger 9/16/35-4/25/25 It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mom/grandma/great grandmother Rachelle "Muz" Geiger, on Friday, April 25, 2025 at the age of 89. 

She passed at Santa Barbara Cottage hospital where she was surrounded by loved ones both at her bedside and in spirit. 

In her mid-thirties, after divorcing her first husband, and with four young kids in tow, Rachelle went back to school (Jacksonville University), and later at the University of North Florida, earned her master’s degree in psychology. She went on to work as a social worker at River Garden Hebrew Home for the Aged in Jacksonville, Florida, a job she loved, and where she was loved! 

In the late 1970s she married Sydney Geiger, moved to Jackson, Mississippi, and for many years worked as the Vice President at her husband’s business Delta Steel Company. In her early 70’s, after she and Sydney closed the company, Rachelle retired and the couple moved to Santa Barbara, California which they had visited several times every year to visit family. 

Rachelle had already become a beloved member of the Santa Barbara community and opened her home and heart to all. In Santa Barbara, Rachelle joined Congregation B’nai B’rith, and became very involved in the temple’s sisterhood. She donated many hours and lots and lots of energy cooking and making cookbooks, among other things. At home, she had an expansive table, open to all. Rachelle loved Syd, travel, poetry, politics, her friends, and family. In Rachelle’s eyes her kids and loved ones could do no wrong. 

Muz was one wise, strong independent, romantic, stubborn, fun-loving, and adventurous woman, with a lust for food (especially chocolate) and life. She is simply one of a kind, and irreplaceable. 

She is survived by her four children Deborah (Ken), Rebecca, Judith (Steven), and Jeff (Kate), and 12 grandchildren Landon Geiger (Emma), Shira Minerd (Chris), Sam, Hannah, and Nina Humphrey, Ana Bonnheim (Asher), Julia Bonnheim (Marc Bridge), Noah Bonnheim (Hannah Wagner), Shanna Applebaum (Matt), Josh Geiger, Eric Murray (Emily), and Michael Murray (Oriana), and many great grandchildren.