Kathryn touched the lives of everyone with whom she came in contact and will live in our hearts forever
Kathryn Pielage entered this lifetime in 1953, born to Frances and Robert Pielage into a large, loving family in Cincinnati, Ohio, which would eventually include eight siblings. She was destined to impress with her talent, creativity, and beauty. She excelled at dancing and modeling in her youth.
Kathryn’s lifelong career began when she served as a Candy Striper at a local hospital and was touched by the care offered by the nurses she observed. She earned her Registered Nurse Degree at the Christ Hospital School of Nursing in 1980.
Over the years, as she worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Alta Bates Hospital in Oakland, CA, she recognized that it was a tremendous privilege to welcome and care for the souls entering this world. One of her favorite things to do was to talk to babies right after they were born. She wanted them to know they were welcome, safe and loved.
Kathryn met and fell in love with Mark Crouch in 1983 and soon found herself following him to California. Later, they were married. Mark died in May of 1995, leaving a tremendous void in Kathryn’s life. Kathryn filled that void by throwing herself fully and completely into life.
Her interests and group memberships are too numerous to list fully. She was a member of the Holistic Nurses Association, the Pre- and Peri-natal Psychology Association, and was a Reiki Master (a holistic healing technique from Japan).
Skydiving is one of the few activities she did not try. And probably synchronized swimming. She loved travel, trying new things, yoga, walking and enjoying nature, creating everything - from beautiful stained-glass art, exquisite flower arrangements and altar decorations to paper mâché sculptures. She traveled to Machu Picchu, Peru, Canada and throughout the United States.
When her neighbor's children were small, she turned her driveway into a fantasy world and built a playhouse. As she played with the children, she became a child herself, with resounding laughter and unbounded imagination.
Her gardening skills were legendary, and often earned admiration from passersby. She helped create friends’ gardens as well. Neighbors became accustomed to Kathryn trimming their bushes and trees or weeding their flower beds, just because she felt they needed it.
Her love of God knew no limits. She was attracted to the Oneness phenomenon and travelled to Fiji to become a Blessing Giver in 2008. In recent years, she also travelled to India to experience Ekam – the Oneness Temple, the Matri Mandir in Auroville, and the Sri Aurobindo Ashram, spiritual home and resting place of the founders Sri Aurobindo and The Mother. She also travelled to Brazil to experience the gifts of John of God.
Kathryn co-founded and co-facilitated the Lake Merritt Oneness circle in 2010. She participated in Celebrating Life Ministries retreats and loved the healing gifts of Ron Roth, and Paul Funfsinn, its co-founders. Among the spiritual teachers that profoundly impacted Kathryn’s life are St. Germain, Sri Amma Bhagavan, Sai Baba, Sai Maa, Rosalyn Bruyere, Angeles Arrien, and Tom Kenyon just to name a few.
She participated in both a Toning Circle and more traditional Prayer Circle for close to 20 years. Her prayers and intentions made a difference in people's lives. She made friends easily and kept them forever.
When asked how she wanted to be remembered, Kathryn replied, “Everything I do in life comes from my heart… I wanted to fix things but also to bring joy to others.” Kathryn Pielage left this Earth on January 11, 2022. She is remembered with love by family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues alike.
With the approval of Kathryn's family, donations in-lieu of flowers may be made to Moyo Institute to support its scholarships for youth and adults to participate in consciousness expanding workshops offered through the Golden Age Movement. Thank You.
