By the time of her death on December 26, 2014, she authored 13 well reviewed novels and five self-help medical books, was a panelist for six years on the ABC TV show Oh My Word, and a columnist for the San Francisco Chronicle.

Charities she supported and/or worked for included Compassion and Choices, the Coalition on Homelessness San Francisco, the Kidney Foundation, and a dozen more.

[3] As an advocate and rallying point for this movement, to allow terminally ill patients to choose their time of death (under a strictly defined and controlled process), she generated considerable press and publicity and contributed greatly to the momentum embracing a change in the law.

Four years later, at the home of Merla's close friends Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Richard Blum, she married former Crown-Zellerbach executive and longtime Civil Service and Library Commissioner Lee Munson.

Her mother, Lottie, helped out at her husband's temple and found a creative outlet by performing dramatic readings of plays.

"[1] Lois Lehrman, publisher of the Nob Hill Gazette, called Zellerbach "the consummate lady" and said it was invaluable to have someone around who knows San Francisco "backwards and forwards, from the inside out.

Composed primarily of quotes from locals (celebrities, socialites, politicians, and “every day folk”), she subtly explored and exposed truths about human nature.

[9] Zellerbach became involved in philanthropy in her early 20s, first as Queen of the Mardi Gras (a benefit for the Little Jim Club of Children's Hospital), later volunteering for Planned Parenthood, the American Cancer Society and the Red Cross.

[12] Cosmopolitan, Travel & Leisure, Reader's Digest, Prevention, Women's World, This Week, Saturday Evening Post, and others; 1989-99; Cover stories: SF Focus, Gentry, Nob Hill Gazette, Where Magazine; 1985-91; Featured articles (8) in Town & Country.

Published Interviews included: Shirley Temple Black, Yves St. Laurent, Andy Warhol, Sen. Dianne Feinstein, Bob Hope, Hugh Hefner, Bennett Cerf, Joe Montana and Helen Gurley Brown.

Chronicle 2014 - Junior League “Women at the Center Honors (WATCH)”; 2012 - Northern California chapter of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation's Champion of Hope – Community Leader; 2010 - Compassion & Choices Hugh Gallagher Award; 2010 - Named “Literary Laureate” by The Friends of the San Francisco Public Library; 2007 - Mayor Gavin Newsom Proclamation of Merla Zellerbach Day, October 1; 2000 - California State Assembly Certificate of Recognition; 2000 - US Senate Certificate of Commendation; 2000-14: Listed (Marquis) Who's Who In America; Who's Who In Entertainment; 1999 - New York Times rave review for Rittenhouse Square; 1999 - Wellness.Books.com Reviewer's Choice Award (The Allergy Sourcebook); 1996 - Governor Pete Wilson commendation award; 1994 - Where Magazine International Achievement Award for Best Article Writing; 1983 - Mayor Dianne Feinstein Proclamation of Merla Zellerbach Day, November 1.

Merla Zellerbach's Career In High Society San Francisco Chronicle, Sunday, November 23, 2008 by Carolyne Zinko 3.