COMMUNITY NEWS
Pathways In Memoriam: Honoring Lost Friends
The challenges and sadness of the last year have been punctuat- ed by the losses of cherished family members and friends within the Pathways Community. They have contributed to and supported Pathways over the years in many personal and professional ways… …as family, who’ve volunteered at the Natural Living Expo for over a decade, like our own beloved Bob Cooper, a kind and generous soul whose smile greeted countless thousands. …as faithful and exuberant Expo participants, like Gena Wilson, who delighted and enlightened at - tendees for decades with her presence and her talks. …as pioneers and fixtures of the local spiritual and festival scene, like Wynne Paris, who brought music and joy to the masses. …and as valued contributors to the magazine, like Rachel Carillo, a true eco-warrior, amazing free spirit, and gifted writer who left this earthly realm far too soon; and like Peggy Duke, whose accomplished and near-legendary botanical illustrations accompanied the body of work of her late husband, and renowned ethnobotantist, Dr. JimDuke. We honor them here. They are all missed and remembered with love and gratitude.
Years ago, Gena started her professional life, graduating from Florida State University with a Masters in Social Work, and then becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in our area, where she worked tirelessly helping
and caring for people. And that was only her “day job.” Most of us knew her from her other life mission in caring for people—as a psychic and medium, not only for people, but also for her beloved an- imal world, as a pet psychic. And through her loving rela - tionship with the Angel realm. Gena was well known as a me - dium in this area for many, many years, with many me- dia interviews and mentions. As many of you know, Gena
was a long-time exhibitor and speaker at Pathways Natural Living Expos, where she met and made so many clients and friends. For years, she also served as a psychic reader at the Sacred Circle Book - store in Alexandria, where again, she had many clients and friends. Gena fought with courage and dignity in the face of her can - cer, through her last moments. She is now at peace in the com - pany of the angels she so dearly loved, ready for another mis- sion. I have no doubt she will do a magnificent, caring, and loving job. She is sadly missed by her loved ones, friends and clients. She was a woman of true heart and a wonderful laugh. Farewell Gena, and rest in peace.
Bob Cooper, from Kelley Holland Cooper Robert Hamilton Cooper, aka “Bob or Bubba”, passed away on Tuesday, November 24th, peacefully at home sur - rounded by family. He was 88 years young. He served in the army and retired as a Major in his 40s. He was a dream - er who expressed his passion for truth, spirituality and phi-
Remembering Wynne Paris, by Tobias Hurwitz Wherever there was Yoga and spirituality, Wynne Paris was there providing the music and often organizing the event itself. Wynne
losophy through pottery, woodworking and active environmen- talism. He loved wandering the world on foot, or on his be - loved motorcycle and then in his one-of-kind van “Priscilla”. A loving husband, father and grandfather he was blessed by his wife Mary Kay, children Grace, Kelley, Tracey, Tim and Mi - chele, and stepdaughter Erin. He loved his grandchildren Hol - land, Brett, Courtney, Christopher, ShayLynn, Spencer, Trev - or, Victoria, Drue, Krissy, Marianna, Alex, Natalia and great grandchildren Ava, Mason, Austen, Arlo, Lilliana, Atlas and Sage. As per Bob’s wishes his memorial and ashes will be spread in Joshua Tree, California. The family wishes memorial contributions in honor of Bob to be made to seedingsovereignty.org or Conservationfund.org. Remembering Gena Wilson, by Marie-Claire Wilson Gena’s death is a great loss for the DMV spiritual community as a whole, and in particular, for the many individuals who knew her and loved her. She was a remarkably talented, accomplished woman—on all levels. Although we share the same last name, we were not family relat - ed, but we were spiritual sisters, heart-to-heart. She had such an incredible sense of humor, and an absolutely infectious laugh. I so enjoyed being with her, talking with her, laughing with her. Some - times, I felt her as the “happy Buddha” incarnated in the female form.
toured extensively for many years performing Kirtan at Yoga studios and festivals. He had a wonderful singing voice and strong multi-instrumental skill, playing harmonium, gui- tar, percussion and a collection of traditional Indian instru- ments. Wynne would typically sit for hours on a small Indian rug, comfortably cross-legged, with a perfectly straight spine, playing his music. He was the driving force behind The Love- light Yoga Festivals and worked with everyone from Krishna Das to The Desert Dwellers. Wynne was a uniter, a vi-
sionary, a collaborator and a connector of like minds, who has left us all with an extensive discography of wonderful music to enjoy. He died suddenly of a heart attack onMarch 22, 2021. Wynne is survived by his longtime partner and co-founder of the Lovelight Festivals, Kimberly Maddox, his brotherWilliamandhis parents.He is deeplymissedby all. continued on page 84
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