Remembering Kathy Paxson, financial manager, crafter

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of Katherine (Kathy) Elizabeth Rawson Paxson, who died peacefully at home on May 21 surrounded by her family.

Born on March 24, 1961, in Livermore, California, Kathy’s first years were spent there and in neighboring Alamo before the family moved to Del Mar in Southern California where Kathy spent her formative years. She lived in Berkeley for 29 years, starting in 1996.

Kathy is remembered as bright, inquisitive, present and someone who brought the family together at home through her lightness and good will.

Kathy shared love and encouragement with her parents, Lois (Elise) Elizabeth Weleba Rawson and Donald (Glen) Eugene Rawson, as well as with her older brother, Ken Rawson, and younger sister, Kristy Rawson.

A particular highlight of her youth were the Rawson summer camping trips. Kathy was a lover of nature, mountains, wildlife and beauty in all its forms and, when not reading, was an avid and gifted creator of back-seat-car songs, jokes, games and crafts. Kathy crafted in many mediums throughout her life, notably crochet, and her skill was manifested in numerous wonderful creations. Crafting very often found Kathy making innovative use of older objects and giving them new life in a different form. Other lifelong passions born of her early experiences included a love of pets and good food. Cats and dogs brought Kathy a particular joy and she cared for many cherished animals over her life. Her mastery of cooking will be greatly missed.

Always at the top of her school in early education, Kathy eventually left her Southern California home to go to Reed College in Oregon and subsequently completed her undergraduate education at Sonoma State University in California, where she earned a degree in psychology. Later, Kathy completed the Masters of Business Administration program at Cal State East Bay in Hayward.

After finishing undergraduate studies, Kathy began employment in and around Oakland; primarily engaged in accounting and business support work for various companies. There were two primary organizations that Kathy served in this capacity over the next few decades: The Contractors Network and Bear River Associates, with the majority of this time spent at the latter organization.

It was during the early stages of professional life in the mid-1980s when Kathy met James Paxson, then of Sunol. After several years of adventure and courtship, they married in the fall of 1990. The two lived in Hayward for several years before moving to Berkeley in 1996.

Their first child, Erin Elizabeth Paxson, was born that year followed three years later by Sarah Frances Paxson in 1999. Affectionately known amongst themselves as the ‘Core Four,’ this family unit was a tightknit group throughout Kathy’s adult life. Kathy was particularly adept at upholding values of love, honor, respect, humility, charity and thoughtfulness and inspired her family to do the same.

Kathy was a renaissance figure in many respects finding interest in diverse aspects of life, society and culture. These ranged from music to spirituality to contemporary issues and more.

Kathy pursued music in many ways. In her youth, Kathy learned piano and continued to play as an adult. After several years of private instruction, Kathy passionately pursued singing; most notably through her participation as an alto in the Berkeley Community Chorus and Orchestra and in Bella Musica; also volunteering on the boards of both organizations. Kathy’s voice would frequently fill the house with selections performed with these groups as well as a rich variety of other songs across many genres. Music extended into Kathy’s professional career as well, which saw her providing finance and accounting management for the Kronos Quartet, Berkeley Symphony Orchestra and Golden Gate Park Band; as well as the Bayview Opera House.

Kathy’s spiritual pursuits led her to explore herself and the surrounding world. Kathy developed a number of meditative and intuitive skills through various practices, and participated in numerous opportunities to engage her spirituality. These included a special focus on women’s spirituality and healing which involved teaching and ministering to others to aid them with the nurturing of their own sense of spiritual well-being. A key component of Kathy’s spiritual growth were the many friendships developed with the people that Kathy interacted with in these pursuits. Their presence has been and continues to be an enduring grace.

Kathy’s passionate involvement with social issues and the arts was prominently expressed through a near insatiable appetite for reading. Kathy’s interests were varied and spanned a wide range of topics including: the environment, women’s rights and empowerment, social justice, and stories that celebrated the human experience. Engagement in these areas extended beyond intellectual curiosity and included participation in organizations focused on these interests and into career work as well where, following the completion of her MBA, Kathy devoted her time and talent to helping newly arrived immigrants cultivate business and professional skills.

Kathy is survived by her beloved spouse, James, beloved children, Erin and Sarah, and cherished brother and sister, Ken and Kristy. Kathy was pre-deceased by her parents, Glen and Elise. Kathy touched the lives of many and will be dearly missed by all who knew her and carry her memory. A Celebration of Life is being planned for later in the year. In lieu of flowers, please donate to: Berkeley Community Choir and Orchestra, Bella Musica and the Berkeley Symphony.