Kathleen lived “larger than life”!

Realizing she has surpassed “larger than life” now.  She lives-on … in many fond memories …

The gift that Kathleen Carie was to me manifest itself in three distinct and compelling ways:

1. She was extraordinarily savvy about identifying and asking appropriate and often challenging questions, whether directed at a friend, a colleague, or a program participant. Watching her interact on a discovery trajectory with an array of different people was for me a master’s class in quality communication and program facilitation.

2. She personified women who knew well how to find their voice and stand in their power. She was forever encouraging women of all ages to do so. She characterized it as “embracing her she-bear or more prosaically “getting in touch with her bitch”. I recall that on more than one occasion while co-leading an “Advancement of Excellence” with Kathleen some hapless guy would get his back up about something she said or did. He would step up to the microphone and call her out as a “bitch”. The room would immediately become hushed. Kathleen would remain still and expressionless for about 10 seconds. Then she would smile sweetly and respond: “Thank you…I know, and I appreciate your calling attention to it”. Later in our relationship I could not resist asking her how she would characterize a man who was in touch with his bitch. What was her response… “He’s lucky!”

3. Kathleen had a great sense of humor. She laughed easily, loudly, and often at herself. She was also a bit mischievous and a ready teaser…a practical joker now and then…and occasionally arrange a comeuppance to make a point. On the other hand, she was never mean spirited or intentionally hurtful. She had a unique ability to smack you and cradle you at the same time. Except for Carol, my wife of 50 years, I have yet to encounter anyone else with a greater ability to provide quality support than did Kathleen. I will miss her presence in my universe and I trust that she will continue to create Excellence wherever she now abides.

Attended the Zoom service for this amazing woman yesterday; then she filled my dreams last night (all night) 💜 I remember meeting Kathleen for the first time at a luncheon here in Canada, when I started my position of Service Rep for ESI. AND I remember saying to myself “Wow, she’s a bit much!” (This was coming from my introverted self). As I let my Promoter-self come out to play, I experienced her vivaciousness and pure zest for living in the moment. She was always there for me “Call me anytime Darling. I’ve been in your job. I know what it’s like”.

Kathleen, you’re imprinted on my being. I’m better because I knew you❤️🌹🥂

I met Kathleen not long after moving to Seattle, in the winter/spring of 2007 during an Advancement of Excellence program she was leading, which was the first of many to follow for Context 2.0. 

I'd been away from the program work for a decade but her coaching from the front of the room was just the kick in the butt I needed. 

I was immediately smitten with her. Who wasn't?! She had the energy level cranked right up and we were all there for it. Oh, but if we could have captured that energy and exuberance of hers to then box, gift-wrap, and hand out on street corners...it was pure magic.

I enjoyed attending her intro sessions and Circle gatherings over the years, popping into the office to say hi to her, and our witty chit-chats, where we could call a spade a shovel with each other. There was always laughter.

Kathleen’s ability to manifest decades-long friendships with her peers as family was admirable. As was her magnetism whenever she was center-stage with an audience – you just knew that’s where she was most in her element.

She was sassy, classy & a whole lot of badassy and lived up to her self-dubbed Queen of Fucking Everything + Brash Choreographer of Fun monikers.

I will forever continue to think of her whenever I know I need to don my “big girl panties” for life moments that demand bravado.

I can imagine Kathleen commanding court in the Great Beyond hereafter with an amused and adoring fanbase and her Q-tips at her feet.

Rest in love, KC. They broke the mold when they made you. <3

*****

Perfection Wasted } by John Updike

And another regrettable thing about death

is the ceasing of your own brand of magic,

which took a whole life to develop and market 

—the quips, the witticisms, the slant

adjusted to a few, those loved ones nearest

the lip of the stage, their soft faces blanched

in the footlight glow, their laughter close to tears,

their tears confused with their diamond earrings,

their warm pooled breath in and out with your heartbeat,

their response and your performance twinned.

The jokes over the phone. The memories packed

in the rapid-access file. The whole act.

Who will do it again? That's it: no one;

imitators and descendants aren't the same.