Carolyn S. "Rashmi" Pierce

Rashmi:

A lover of life, a lover of the light, and as her namesake is defined: one who brought the light, one who beamed love and light in all directions from a mighty beacon. For all who knew and loved Rashmi—and there were many from all over the globe, from all walks of life—she radiated a deep knowing and kindness. She was a one-woman cheering squad, a fierce and loyal friend, and a force to be reckoned with. Her love came in the form of an encouraging word, a hug, an explosive belly laugh, a phone call singing Happy Birthday To You (how did she remember so many of us this way?). And sometimes her love came in the burn of the truth. She was witty, silly, charming, bossy and full of piss and vinegar, equally adept at cursing and praying.

Her creativity was boundless. As a much sought after artists' model in New York City where she worked for renowned artist Phillip Pearlstein, she also became a student of art herself and was a talented painter and sculptor. She modeled for many other prestigious artists and institutions (Alex Katz, Raphael Soyer, Academy of Art University San Francisco, Honolulu Academy of Arts to name a few).

She was also a soulful singer, and besides her heartfelt renditions of Happy Birthday to anyone who needed it, she also was asked to sing The Star Spangled Banner for a Democratic Party caucus in Phoenix, AZ, flooring the crowd with her passionate vocalism and gusto.

Rashmi lived in Flagstaff for a short 4 years touching the hearts of so many of us. She was born in Brooklyn, New York. She got her BA from Ohio State in English Literature and got her teaching degree, which she was very proud of. She was the Ohio State Buckeyes football team's biggest fan. She loved poetry and art, teaching children, all kinds of music, mash potatoes, and chocolate cake, red wine, dancing, singing, laughing, teasing. She had a unique collection of art books, paintings and etchings, sacred objects, and very colorful socks. She once loved a man named Mark who was killed in an accident, and she never let him go.

Rashmi was well traveled in this world and in the other world of Spirit. A seeker of a deeper path, she studied with some of the greatest masters of spiritual practices of our time. Living in Ashrams from Oakland to India, she realized her purpose and became fully committed to her faith that anything was possible. In addition to being a devotee, she wrote prolifically: volumes of poetry devoted to speaking and seeking the Divine in herself and all of us.

She is survived by hundreds, perhaps thousands, of kindred spirits on this earthly plane and elsewhere.

On October 21, 2018, she left to be with the Divine Spirit that guided her in this world. We will miss you dearly, but know you are free, and that you are now the light itself."