Summer 2025 Volunteer List Nika Ayre Emily Akemon Will Anton
A Volunteer’s Profile: Sasha Gulish by Cory vanGelder When I first learned that Sasha Gulish had volunteered to photograph the portraits for our Indigenous and Latinx Land Stewards exhibit, I had no idea just how much skill, care, and quiet magic she would bring to the project. Sasha’s approach was more than professional—it was deeply human. She arrived at each shoot with a calm presence, immediately creating a space
Susan Kraft Susie Lerer Rebecca Nowlen Anne McClain Pat McGraw Michael McQuilkin Tony Miceli Carl Miller Josh ”Bones” Murphy Riley Ned Amy Nestler Pete Nestler Morgan Olsen Laurie Olson Peter Oppenheimer
Maddie Antonio Heather Arnold Manny Arroyo Jenni Bahrt Al Baylacq Mel Bebbington Sandy Bellak
of trust and ease. Her ability to connect with each individual, to truly see them, allowed something extraordinary to unfold: people dropped into themselves with a kind of relaxed authenticity that only comes when one feels fully appreciated and witnessed. Though I wasn’t sure what a realistic timeline would be for such a project, Sasha—despite a demanding schedule that frequently has her traveling across the country for high-profile commercial work—gra- ciously made time. In just two weeks, she conducted three full photo shoots, carefully edited the por- traits, and prepared them for exhibition printing. The speed and quality of her work felt nothing short of miraculous. Sasha is an internationally recognized photographer known for capturing honest, emotionally resonant images, whether she’s working with celebrities, families, or community members. Her portraiture in this exhibit offered not just representation, but reverence. Like many of the people who sat before her lens, I left this experience with deep gratitude—for her talent, for her spirit, and for the gift of a new connec- tion with someone who makes the world brighter simply by showing up with presence and purpose. With Respect Harold Wong , a beloved Woodacre resident, passed away peacefully at home on March 28, 2025, at the age of 87. Born in Hawaii in 1937, Harold was raised in Honolulu, where he attended Catholic schools and vividly remembered the planes flying over Pearl Harbor. He later moved to San Francisco, dedicating many years to the Convent of the Sacred Heart. A lifelong martial artist, Harold practiced Shaolin and Tai Chi, through which he met his wife, Barbara Lawrence. Together, they shared a deep love for art—Harold’s early paintings reflected a fluid, impressionistic style, and he later became known for his handcrafted mobiles. An avid gardener, he inherited his mother’s bonsai-inspired techniques and cultivated a lush sanctuary in Woodacre. Harold was known for his generosity, supporting numerous children’s charities, and was a magnet for both kids and dogs—often seen walking his tiny companion, Mocha. He is survived by his wife, Barbara, and sister, I-Ping Wong. Joe Hopkins passed away on April 22, 2025, at his home in upstate New York, where he had returned nearly a decade ago to reconnect with his roots. A longtime resident of Forest Knolls and Lagunitas, Joe was known throughout the San Geronimo Valley not only for his exceptional skill as a carpenter but also for his soulful, uncompromising approach to life. He raised his son Taylor in the Valley, instill- ing in him a deep love for nature, creativity, and community. Friends and neighbors remember Joe as a deeply authentic and kind-hearted man who forged lasting connections through his quiet strength and generous spirit. Though he spent his final years in New York, Joe’s heart never left the Valley. His wish was to return to the place he loved most—Forest Knolls—for his final rest. A GoFundMe has been created to help support memorial expenses and to bring Joe home: spot.fund/HelpTaylorAfterLoss. Those who knew Joe are invited to contribute and share memories of a man who left a lasting mark on the people and places he touched. Joyce Vagasy , was born on August 26, 1938. She was described as open-hearted, proud of her Irish heri- tage, and was a loyal parishioner of St. Cecilia’s Church. A trailblazer, Joyce was the first woman to graduate with a degree in Architecture from Cal Poly in 1962, where she also met her husband, John Vagasy. Though trained as an architect, her true artistry emerged in interior design and textiles. She earned acclaim for her work on San Francisco’s Palace Hotel and was recognized with numerous awards for her unique textile designs. Joyce, a long time resident of Forest Knolls, was a friend to many in this community and she will be missed. Marcia Holbert Phipps , a beloved San Geronimo Valley resident, passed away peacefully at home in the early morning of May 16, 2025. Born in Butte, Montana in 1943, Marcia’s adventurous spirit was shaped by a childhood that spanned from Montana to Mexico to the beach town of San Clemente, California. After graduating from Chapman College, she moved to San Francisco and embraced life as an independent young woman—until love and the counterculture movement led her and her husband, Darrell, to a bold new chapter. In the 1970s, they left behind corporate jobs and conventional living to raise their children in a house truck named “Salvador,” eventually settling off-grid in the San Geronimo Valley. There, surrounded by redwoods and guided by stars, Marcia raised her family with wonder, pur- pose, and intention. As her children grew, Marcia turned her energy toward education and earned a master’s degree from Dominican College. She taught middle school math and science at Lagunitas School, where her class- room blossomed into a museum of natural history—filled with fossils, skulls, and student-collected specimens. After retiring, Marcia threw herself into travel, exploration, and community involvement. She led nature hikes as a docent at Audubon Canyon Ranch and helped organize The Senior Lunch at the San Geronimo Valley Community Center. She is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Darrell; her sisters Judy and Tracy; her children Alyssa, Colin, and Jesse; and her beloved grandchildren Ruby, Ryder, Silas, Moss, Cricket, and Indy.
Paul Berensmeier Tina Berensmeier Kay Bolla Bob Brenner Bob Cahn Jeanne Carlson Lynn Charne EJ Chavez Jeanine Chavin Owen Clapp John Clarke Kylie Clarke Faye Coddington Rodrigo Corral Howie Cort John Cunningham Donn DeAngelo Samantha Davidson Mike Davidson Mike Drayton Chis Elliott Marilyn Englander Anne Faught Stephanie Fein James Finnegan Lila Fox Kevin Frazier Ashley Fullerton Tealy Gapinski Andrew Giacomini Kevin Gladstone Emily Goodwin Tobias Green Sasha Gulish John Gunnarson Clayton Haberman Miyo Hall Diana Hammer Brent Harris Kathleen Hasse Poppy Henderson Anne Hilsley Janet Hughes Carmen Irizarry Judy Kaufman Carolina Killion Steve Kinsey Joe Kerr Gideon Korrell Michelle Kotski
John Pedersen Heather Podoll Molly Rea
Carol Rebscher Elliana Rivera Sara Robinson Linda Rockwell Jerome Rubin David Russ Suzanne Sadowsky Eileen Schatz Corinna Schubert Richard Shaw Virgil Shaw Martha Shaw Savannah Shore Ella Signor Michael Singleton
Sonny Smith Melissa Meith Larry Rippee Molly Rea Andy Schmit Jeff Smith Gina Smith Jay Soladay Leyam Stieber
Mira Stinemates Duncan Sylvester Larkin Sylvester
Chris Taylor Tom Tabakin Jasper Thelin Kira Thelin Vanessa Trinidad-Benito Juliette Valente Paul Valente Sam Watson Aaron Weiss Peter Werba Jesse Wernici Shayna West Marina Eisenzimmer Carly Frazee
Other recent passings that will be highlighted in future issues: David Semling and Al Ardelle.
With Respect continues on page 4
SGV Community Center Stone Soup Page 3
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