Dear Katya,

I often remember how we would burst out into hysterical (and seemingly irreverent) fits of laughter for no reason at all during solemn Baha'i meetings or prayer gatherings.

I miss you and your terrible puns and trademark bad jokes and tipping waiters with your endless supply of two-dollar bills and paying the bridge toll for whatever car happened to be behind us. I won't forget.

The world could really use your humor and your random acts of kindness.

---
O my God! O Thou forgiver of sins, bestower of gifts, dispeller of afflictions!

Verily, I beseech thee to forgive the sins of such as have abandoned the physical garment and have ascended to the spiritual world.

O my Lord! Purify them from trespasses, dispel their sorrows, and change their darkness into light. Cause them to enter the garden of happiness, cleanse them with the most pure water, and grant them to behold Thy splendors on the loftiest mount.

--'Abdu'l-Baha

Dear Katya,
  Your brilliant smile lights my heart forever. Please take care of all of us still here. Much love and prayers, and thanks for your love and praerys for me and everyone.
xoxo

Six years since you left... and your spirit, your smile, your laugh are still so present.  I miss you! Thanks for all the happiness that you brought to so many people while you were here. I am still learning from you.

Katya's brilliance and beauty -- physical, mental and spiritual -- is untouched by time. Please pray for us. Much Love and prayers for your progress.

Dear Katya,
 Missing you today, and every time I think of you - your laughter, silly jokes, deep caring, brilliance, kindness, insight. I always felt welcome and safe in your presence. Love you so much, praying for you.
  Joy

Dear Katya! This note is to mark your 54th birthday, your spirit was transferred to the Spiritual realm 4.3 years ago this September 14. The registration assistance fund created in your name to assist BNASAA /Open Circle attendees is still functioning . Carlos and I still stop by your grave and say prayers (along with other notable Baha'is buried in Colma). Im sure you have been put to work assisting others in the next world. Please pray for us as we pray for you!

Katya dear Katya, it's been 3 earthly years since your rebirth into the Spiritual Realm! Your life has touched so many in this realm. 
Thank you for what you taught me, and for allowing me to assist you during some painful, difficult, trying times. I know I gained far more than you during this time, I am certainly moved by your humbleness, humor, trust in God, and more care for me than issues you endured, the pain you endured which medicines couldn't remove, your loss of privacy, and other issues related to your illness.
I miss your humor, stupid jokes, incredible smile, and always seeing the good in everyone.
I know you are in the presence of incredible souls. Please pray for us as we pray for you. Thanks again! Terry

"But there is only one of you
That makes you special
You stand out among the other things; it's true

"Yes, the universe is large
And whoever is in charge
Made lots of things, but only one of you .... <3 "

Dear Katya, today is your birthday.  Have a blast!  Dance, laugh and be full of joy. You gave so much love here... Be happy there...

We will, we will miss you!

Dear Katya,

A year has already gone by since you were here. I miss you and remember our conversations often. You still make me smile in your own unique way.

Helloooo Katya Lovely Sousa!!! Guess what, after all this time, I have finally just tonight, finished Ruhi Book 1 that we started together ages ago. Love you and miss you sweetheart, please say hi to my dad for me, and to your mom <3 <3

Happy Birthday...

My Dearest Katya:
It seems only like yesterday that I met you at Bosch and the bond of your friendship was immediate and the unconditional love you gave me and all your friends was ever present. You are gift to all of us who know you, you are a one-of-a-kind soul that very seldom walks the earth and now you belong to the angels.  Even though for most of our friendship, geography didn’t allow for more frequent visits, but still you always managed to keep the love and friendship pure and alive. I am so terribly sorry that I was not able to be with you before you made your transition to the Abha Kingdom, but I am so grateful to your friends and dear Carlos in particular who shared the video of the beautiful memorial service with me. In watching the video, it is so clear how profoundly you touched the lives of so many people including me. I will forever cherish our friendship, the laughter, our talks, and our time together. It’s been an honor to be your friend. With Love and Gratitude, Tony (Los Angeles)

Katya was a true original, and a devoted servant of Baha. I want to thank her for many things, but especially for two wonderful experiences. She took me to see Queen, with Paul Rodgers singing, at the San Jose HP Pavilion, and it was fabulous. We also went to see Eddie Izzard, which was unforgettable. She loved these two artists and I was so lucky to get to see them with her. We used to riff on Eddie Izzard's 'Cake or Death' routine. She was so funny, so smart, so loving, and so generous. I know of a certainty that her joyful soul is dancing in the fields of glory with her Best Beloved. Bless, bless, bless her.

Katya's Memorial Service and Funeral were recorded to be shared with her ill mother and with friends all over the world who could not attend. Here are the final links to both the funeral service and the Memorial Service. I am deeply thankful to Eric Lagerlof ( Papaw Eric ) for all the work he put into getting these videos done and online and also to everyone that helped in so many ways during the last day.

Funeral Service:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1iNcoif4f8&feature=youtu.be

Memorial Service:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdPhgACVzkc&feature=youtu.be

It is hard to capture the feelings in words. Katya was a true friend-one who accepted everyone with love, humor, tears, and truth. To have known her since the 80's when we were junior youth and youth and to have been in touch in the last year has been a gift. At Green Acre, she would stand in the doorway between the registration/sitting area and the dining hall, grinning, and I would run to her and stand under her wing. Katya was/is a pure soul, full of love and humor-she radiated love and humor on this earthly plane, and she must be radiating it just as much or so much more in the one that is veiled to our sight. She is a gift and is in our thoughts and prayers.  Love.

Katya's memorial service was also recorded to be shared with her ill mother and friends from all over the world who could not be there. The link is:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v55LMrfh9CQ&feature=youtu.be

Katya had many friends all over the world. I have gotten messages and talked to friends who could not be with us in person during these days. Particularly, her mother could not come all the way to California due to her own health but wanted to see the funeral and the memorial service. We will be uploading the memorial service to share with the friends soon. Meanwhile, the funeral ceremony can be found at:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1iNcoif4f8&feature=youtu.be

I am a bit speechless still from Katya's passing. Relieved that she is free of so many burdens that most of us could never have borne with such humour and grace. She is likely dancing and singing with so many people she loved and cared for as they were passing, so many people who will be so glad to see her... and so sad that I will not be with her there. I miss her so much right now, even as she is ever by my side now. I can see the party in my mind, Queen on a well lit stage, minions adorning her with lighted garlands, an endless line of dance partners, loud music - sometimes gorgeous, sometimes tacky, a really bad comedian, so bad he is brilliant, and makes us all double over with painful ridiculous laughter, retelling all her jokes, her insanely contagious smile... I am so happy she is there and so sad that I cannot see what the party really looks like! May we all pray for her endlessly, as she deserves our deepest and most sincere prayers as she sails her way through to mysterious light... Katya... one day, when I get there, I want you at my party...

I have no words for you that are adequate, Katya. On the story page here, I left just a snapshot in time. I wish I could remember more of your jokes, but maybe it is fitting that the one about running around in circles always stuck in my mind. I'm sure that's what I'm doing.

And your response: "Shut up, or I'll nail your other foot to the floor."
<3 <3

i was saddened to hear of
Katya's passing. It has been many,many years since we have seen each other, but a special memory of dear Katya was when I was student teacher in her Marks Meadow Kindergarten class. I so clearly remember, even then, her bubbly laughter, her beautiful curls and her eager calls for Ms. Bitz and Ms. Kenney to show or tell us something! A special lady. . . you will be missed!

I first met Katya at a BNASAA retreat at Bosch Baha'i School in Santa Cruz. What would forever be our inside joke was that I spent the first night throwing pillows at her in hopes of stopping her snoring! She was a beautiful combination of impish humor and fiery sincerity. She worked tirelessly to ensure others had a safe place to share and heal. She taught us to have faith and trust that funds would flow, and that those who needed to be at a BNASAA event should take steps in that faith. It always worked out. Once I visited her in her apartment, and I came across a prayer book, it was a special collection that I had seen and admired before. I said, "Oh, I love this prayer book, I've always wanted to have one of these." Right then and there, she inscribed a loving tribute in the inside cover, and it was mine. That epitomizes the giving spirit of this living sacrifice of a person. Godspeed dear sister!!

A unique person with a big heart, a sharp mind, and a beautiful soul. And a truly wicked sense of humor.

Dearest Katya! You are missed so much! Dear soul, loving prankster and punster.
Who you are made all of us better people.
We love you. I love you.
Blessing to you, my dearest one.

Sweet, funny Katya, always with a silly joke and a flamboyant style!  You are missed.  Rest in peace.