Virginia Westling Odell December 30 2024

Virginia Westling Odell (Ginny) of Santa Rosa, passed peacefully on Monday, December 30th at age 99. Ginny is survived by her four children, Vicki (Bruce), Scott (Mary), Peter (Orchid) and Deborah (Grace). She enjoyed her nine grandchildren and her ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Bob Odell, her parents, and her two brothers.

Ginny was born in Santa Paula, California, to Victor and Belle Westling. She grew up in Santa Paula and graduated with a teaching credential from Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California. During college, she met her loving husband and soulmate Bob Odell. They were married over 68 years.

After several years of teaching elementary school in Los Angeles, Ginny and Bob moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon and built their family by adopting four children. Later, they relocated to Sunnyvale, California, where Ginny became a founder and director of the Cupertino Cooperative Nursery School where her passion for children and education touched many families. They later moved to El Cerrito, California, where Ginny explored her creativity through sculpture and painting, while providing her organizational expertise as a board member of the Richmond Art Center.

During her retirement, Ginny and Bob hit the open road traveling the US, Canada and Mexico in a 26' RV. Ginny's love of people translated into creating and growing a network of friends wherever their RV pulled in.

Settling in Coarsegold, CA, Ginny and Bob, were some of the original Pioneers who created SKP Park of the Sierras, an RV community. After years of RV living, they finally settled in Windsor, CA where Ginny enjoyed socializing and hosting unusual-and perhaps wonderfully kooky-parties (she was known on occasion to don a clown suit and blow bubbles). She had a steady stream of imaginative, crafty projects. She spent her final years in a Santa Rosa senior community where she continued developing and enjoying her circle of friends.

Ginny was a dedicated and loving mother and grandmother, always enjoying activities with Bob, family and friends. She approached life with a positive outlook and delighted in having a positive impact on the people around her. She loved people and formed a community of friends everywhere she lived, and she enjoyed those friendships immensely.

The family wishes to thank Maraia Moala, for her friendship and devoted care.

April 26th, 2025 would have been Ginny's 100th birthday and that is the planned date for her Celebration of Life. To share a memory and for information about the celebration please visit www.legacy.com.

In lieu of flowers please send contributions in Ginny's memory to Boys & Girls Aid, 9320 SW Barbur Blvd. #200, Portland OR 97219, http://boysandgirlsaid.org To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. 

Ginny became a member of our Center in 2009 and we remember Ginny for her vibrant energy, warm friendliness and wonderful sense of humor. 

 

Raymond J. Anderson March 28, 1945 - July 8, 2024

Raymond J. Anderson was born on March 28th, 1945, in Chicago, Illinois. As a young man, he served in the Vietnam War. On his return, he moved to San Francisco and became involved with a spiritual group called The Holy Order of Mans.

During this time, he married his first wife, Lenore Flanders, nee Bringle, and they had a daughter, Anna Michelle. After his marriage and his time with the Order, Ray moved back to Chicago, then returned to California, moving to Santa Rosa to support his daughter as a full-time dad. In 1989, he married Ruth Barnhart.

After a short while in real estate, Ray became a licensed contractor and started attending The Center for Spiritual Living (called the Church of Religious Science at the time). He entered studies at the Center, received his Practitioner license, and went on to become a minister. He was a leader in the ManSpirit group and a speaker and teacher at the Center.

In 1997, his daughter Anna and her husband Steve Tuor had their first child, Harley. She was a regular visitor at the Center. Three years later, Ray’s second granddaughter, Skylar, was born. He was lovingly known as BPa to the girls.

He separated and became divorced that year. He lost his daughter eight years later. Ray was grief-stricken, but it only served to make him more completely devoted to his beloved granddaughters and their lives. His family was everything to him, and his love and support for them were without limit.

Somewhere amidst his full life, he managed to write and publish his book, Lotus Cross, a spiritual mystery.

Ray was always someone who could light up a room, bringing his bright smile and loving heart wherever he was. He touched so many in his life. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him. 

All are invited to attend the Celebration of Life for Ray Anderson:

Tuesday, August 20th  at 11 am 

Center for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, Ca 95401

 

 

Michael Louis McKenzie October 14,1964-June 18, 2024

Michael Louis McKenzie was born on October 14th, 1964, to Patricia Lemons and William Louis McKenzie. He had a tumultuous childhood and charged into his youth headfirst. He rode motorcycles, listened to punk rock, and was a larger than life personality with irresistible magnetism that drew people to him.

Shortly after the birth of his daughter, Tressa, he dropped his first name and went by Louis. It was a fresh start for him, in some ways.

He was still the life of the party, but he took fatherhood seriously, became a skilled licensed contractor and started his own business, and dove into the pursuit of the great outdoors. From car camping to backpacking, fishing, kayaking, rock climbing and ice climbing - he did it all.

He met Karen Campbell and after some time apart, they reconnected and eventually married. They bought a beat up little house, tore it down to the studs and built a home with brightly colored walls and succulents everywhere.

He also embarked on a lifelong spiritual journey. He would shout along to the loudest rock n roll songs, slapping his steering wheel to the beat, but he would also meditate, explore philosophy, practice mindfulness and breathwork. He led men’s groups at the Center for Spiritual Living and became an unusual yet integral part of that community, including volunteering with the teen group and building the new Center. 

Louis always had health issues. He almost died when he was three years old of a rare condition that made his body incapable of fighting disease, but with excruciating monthly injections, he lived. When his liver started failing, Karen was at his side, pressing the doctors to take his symptoms seriously. He finally received a liver transplant.

He was encouraged to learn a new trade after that. Something that wasn’t so physical - he considered architecture but at the last minute he changed his mind. He didn’t want to sit at a desk, so he went back to school and got a certificate in sustainable agriculture. He bought a little chunk of land, and he turned it into a farm, Twin Palms Ranch. He grew vegetables and had llamas, chickens, ducks, geese, sheep, and of course, his dogs. 

Louis’ physical issues continued but he was happy to see his daughter marry, and meet his two grandsons, Wiley and Ezra. He spent his days filled with hard work, enriching fun and surrounded by family and friends.  

Here at the Center, we remember Louis with love and deep appreciation. He was a remarkable individual who transformed our building from Star Skate World into the Center for Spiritual Living. 

Louis was, and will forever remain, a pivotal figure in our community heritage and in the lives of those he touched. His adventurous spirit, and tireless dedication were a blessing to everyone who knew him. 

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Karen McKenzie, and his daughter, Tressa Fessenden-McKenzie, during this time of transition. 

Thank you, Louis, for building our spiritual home and infusing it with your love and passion.

 

All are invited to attend the Celebration of Life for Louis McKenzie:

Saturday August 10th  at 11 am 

Center for Spiritual Living, 2075 Occidental Road, Santa Rosa, Ca 95401