Teri Arvilla Ewell May 25, 1955-January 14, 2025

Teresa Arvilla Ewell, lovingly known as Teri, passed away on January 14, 2025, after a courageous year-long battle with colon cancer. In her final days, she was surrounded by her beloved family and best friends, a testament to the love and connections she nurtured throughout her life.

Teri’s vibrant spirit and innate curiosity defined her from an early age. Born in Richmond, California, on May 25, 1955, she was raised in East San Rafael. She attended 3R Elementary School and Junior High before graduating from San Rafael High School in 1973 and then the University of California, Berkeley in 1977.

Teri’s journey of service and discovery began in 1978 when she joined the Peace Corps and traveled to Ecuador, where she worked to improve the health and well-being of local communities. It was there that she met and married Dr. Cesar Costales in 1982. Together, in 1984, they moved to Madrid, Spain, where Teri embraced life abroad. In 1991, she returned to the United States with her three children, Cesar, Adrian, and Monica; moved to Novato in 1993; and began a new chapter of her life, earning her Master’s degree in Nutrition in 1994.

A deeply compassionate individual, Teri devoted her professional life to empowering families and supporting their health. She worked for the Solano County WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, rising to the role of Senior Manager. She was a gifted bi-lingual nutritionist, lactation consultant, and energy healer whose work embodied her commitment to nurturing and educating others.

Teri’s passions were as diverse as her talents. A skilled musician, she spent 45 years in the Prince Charles and MacIntosh Pipe Bands, playing and teaching others to play the bagpipes, snare drum, tenor drum, and bass drum. Her creativity extended into her home, where she designed a stunning backyard sanctuary filled with raised garden beds, fruit trees, flowers, and sculptures inspired by her travels around the world.

She walked the Camino de Santiago’s Portuguese and French routes and explored countless other destinations on six continents. Each adventure enriched her life and reflected her boundless curiosity.

Teri was a dedicated member of the Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa, where she spent over 25 years cultivating a life of meaning and connection. She is survived by her siblings Nyla, Dana, and Diane; her children Cesar, Adrian, and Monica; her stepdaughter Erin; her grandchildren Cesar, Christian, Lucy, and Tessa; her godson Bodie, Carlos, and Angel Alberto; and countless friends who were drawn to her warmth, generosity, and magnetic spirit. She will be remembered for her wisdom, irreverent humor, and the profound joy she found in supporting others.

Teri’s friends and family recall her as a devoted mother, grandmother, and friend, as well as a healer, teacher, and fierce advocate for women and children. Her unwavering loyalty, love of beauty, and zest for life made her an inspiration uplifting all who knew her.

A Celebration of Life will be held in late May 2025 (details to be announced). In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to organizations supporting women, children, and global peace initiatives such as the Peace Corps, the National WIC Association, and Crossing Party Lines—causes about which Teri cared deeply.

Teri leaves a legacy of love, resilience, and joy for all who knew her. She will live on in their hearts and will be deeply missed but forever cherished.

 

Catherine Kielsmeier March 22, 2025

Catherine Kielsmeier, beloved wife, and mother passed on Saturday March 22, 2025 at her home in Forestville. She was 95. At the end she was surrounded by expansive views of the countryside and nature. She was visited multiple times by her beloved family members before she passed.

She was known for her kindness, generosity, caring nature and her love of animals. She is survived by her husband Paul Toussaint, her daughter, her sister Pixie, and Barry Kielsmeier, her son along with 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

Catherine was born at the height of the Great Depression in 1929. She Valued education and eventually received her BA, Master’s and PhD in education, from the University of Southern California.

She married her husband Milton Kielsmeier in 1951 while they were both students in college and they went on to have a 60 year marriage.

This was later followed by a 15 year relationship with her beloved 2^nd husband, Paul Toussaint. Paul nursed and loved her until she passed away.

Catherine had a long career as a researcher and administrator. Her final job was as Director of Special Education for Santa Rosa City Schools in 1979.

She had an active life in retirement and visited India and other Asian countries. Inspired by Tibetan culture she wrote two books: Tibetan Sadhana Vocabulary and Tibetan Language Pre-Primer. Both works are still in publication. Eventually, her academic and work achievements caused her to be listed in Who’s Who In the World.

At the age of 89 she licensed as a Professional Prayer Practitioner for the Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa. She  served in their Grief and Loss Support and Telephone Prayer Ministries until she retired. 

Here at the Center we remember Cathy for her kindness and generosity and love of our teachings. Her bright smile lifted our hearts and we were fortunate to have her as a Practitioner in our community. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Doctors Without Borders

                                                                        P.O Box  5022

                                                                        Hagerstown, Maryland 21741-9804

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