Kerri was my dedicated chi buddy, my mama bear, and a generous loving friend who stuck with me in the worst of times and understood me better than almost anyone in my life. I will be eternally grateful for her presence in my life. She gave me that motherly energy and called me "Sweet Dumpling", which was so precious because I lost my mom too young.

My favorite memory of her was during the height of COVID, I was stuck in a difficult living situation and managing a personal life crisis. Kerri would talk to me every single day, and it helped me stay sane and feel loved. Not to mention that it was the key to my sticking with our challenging Qigong practice.

I don't know how she did all that she did: loving wife and mother and friend, being a lifecoach and a dedicated Qigong student, not to mention her medical protocols. Kerri was so wise and open about her own mistakes and experiences, which gave me hope for myself. All of this was done with such interpersonal grace and patience.  Thank you, Kerriji,

Om Mani Padme Hum and Haola, Haola, Haola!
Emilie Phelps



Kerri was the youngest of the 14 Brownlee family cousins. We were all bonded through the generosity of our grandfather Boppa, who underwrote our 4-family Christmas get-togethers at Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, for many years. Nick-named "Blondie" by her grandfather, Kerri was the cousin we watched out for, included, made sure she was connected, and took turns reading to and caring for her.
   And she grew to be such a beautiful woman. I loved hanging out with her later, when I worked summers at the Lodge and she was running in and out of employee meetings and sometimes parties. 
I tried to insert here photos of her from our wedding held in 1972 in the James' front yard at Grand Lake, where she truly yearned to catch that bouquet while all of my sorority sisters and older cousins stood with their arms at their sides. It's a classic. She was always ready to hang with the older cousins and do what they were doing.
  When Kerri went to college, she visited me in the Bay Area when I was working at Mills College and then later, would come for vacations when we lived different places in northern CA -- most notably and recently, in the Sonoma Valley. We always had good, deep talks. These would be followed by long phone conversation updates. In the last several years I admired and learned from her approaches to her nutrition and overall health. Her environmental activism and appreciation of nature were things we shared. Visits to the northern CA coast and hikes through the redwoods are valued memories as well as wonderful shared meals. I wish I could have included more of the photos that now touch my heart so deeply.
  There was no question about her priorities: Mike and of course, Evan, whom she conscientiously parented and kept constantly in her mind. We had many a conversation about Evan, so much so that I followed his growing up years more closely than he could know. She was immensely proud of you Evan!
   "The trouble is, we thought we had more time." - Buddha 

This took a while to write.  First, because Kerri deserves something thoughtful (she'd forgive it running a little late), and second because Gear captured her so beautifully and completely in his obituary.

Then it hit me – Gear didn’t capture her at all.  He depicted her… but Ker’s weird, mystical, hilarious, laughing, beautiful magnetism defies capture.

And her magnetism was indeed magical:  while the Grand Lake Lodge drew Mike to Colorado, Ker’s magnetism kept him close – something for which all of us are grateful.  And like a magnet switching polarity, Kerri and Mike raised Evan – her best life’s work – pulling him close and then pushing him out in to the world to become another thoughtful, kind, deep, funny adult like his mom.
As a younger non-Coloradoan cousin, I have so many memories of Kerri, nearly all of which are impossible to untangle from Colorado, which has always been a near-mythical place for the Florida cousins.  But my favorite was once when we got her to ourselves.  When we lived in LA, Kerri and Evan visited us and one night, Karen and I got Kerri all alone for a dinner at the Inn of the Seventh Ray.  Technically a restaurant, the Inn is a set of secluded terraces tucked deep into Topanga Canyon – more Rivendell than Los Angeles – and that night Kerri was in her element.  My grandmother (Aunt Ibs to Kerri) used to say her favorite part of any family reunion was getting people one-on-one.  Our family usually creates a lot of noise when we are together, but that night, we had Kerri to ourselves and there in the quiet dark of the canyon, she sparkled.  Conversation ranged deep and broad and fast over delicious food and great wine.  

So long for now, our beautiful, kind, clever, funny, wise, loving dinner companion.  We miss you.

Love, John & Karen Brownlee

May Kerri's beautiful soul soar! Her light and love brought so much to all of us.
I am sure she is still with all of us, but esp. Mike and Evan, sailing above Colorado!

Lelia

Mike took us for a tour around Fort Collins on my last day there. What a fun and beautiful town! Thanks Gear!

When I said goodbye to Ker, I said "see you soon," and she said " see you soon, whenever wherever!"

I could not have know that Kerri James would have such a profound effect on the lives of so many of my close friends from Bellevue High School--but she did. She met them, directly or indirectly, at Western, where I also met her. She lured them to Colorado, which seduced them all, most of all her future husband, Mike. Many years later, when I heard casually, from friends, that Mike had a serious girlfriend named Kerri, it didn't occur to me that it was *that* Kerri--but it was! 
I remember being up high on some kind of balcony at Grand Lake Lodge at Mike and Kerri's wedding reception, dancing wildly with my wife--may we all dance wildly again, and frequently, and think of Kerri when we do.
Joe Lowry

Chris Kennedy here in Whitehall, MI...both Sue and I are touched to sighs and tears by the superb essay penned as an obituary for dear Kerri.

We recall when  Kerri visited us in Rock Springs, WY. I recall Kerri visiting me with her friends in Missoula, MT. I recall a couple grand hikes with her and a few hiking companions in RMNP.

And I recall the first time I saw her too--she and her brother Reed were teenagers working at the Grand Lake Lodge in '77, when it was housing for Trail Ridge Store employees, including me. I don't think we interacted, but her positive energy and great work ethic were evident even at that tender age.

I was last in touch with Kerri back in April of '22, when we commiserated regarding the loss of our friend Lance Heidig. While Kerri and I were never in touch beyond the Christmas card ritual in  recent years, I thought of her as a friend and wondrous person.

Sue and I had some trees planted in Kerri's honor in the Superior National Forest. Sue and I toasted Kerri's memory tonight with this bottle of French wine. The world is a little less vibrant and beautiful place with her departure. Let's treasure the warm memories through this time of loss. 

Mike, Evan: Sue and I are hoping you're doing as well as possible in the aftermath of Kerri's passing. Take care and may the road ahead grow smoother. 

Sincerely, Chris Kennedy and Susan Bates, Whitehall, MI

Thank you, Mike, for that touching tribute to Kerri. I never knew the two of you had so many ties to the Seattle area where I have lived for about the past 25 years.

Like others here, I know Kerri through Peace Corps. I broke out all my old photos from that time period (yes, prints -- on paper!). Lots of memories there. I've included a photo and note that Kerri sent me after she visited me at my parents' home in the Boston area. I had just finished 2 years in Sierra Leone and was heading back for a third. Kerri had finished her PC service, and restarted her life in CO. I don't know what occasioned her trip East. Incredibly, two other Sierra Leone volunteers also showed up at my parents' house. And all that was orchestrated without aid of an Internet! (I assume someone from my family took the photo using Kerri's camera.)

Kerri will forever be loved, admired, and remembered by many.  Her grit over all the years overcoming cancer time and again and with grace all the while is awe inspiring.

I met Kerri in Sierra Leone many years ago when she was a Peace Corps volunteer and I was a volunteer with VSO. We became good friends.  She lived 7 miles up a rural dirt track road from me and I once walked there to spend time with her in her village. Although we were in such an exotic place I remember her showing me photos of the Rocky Mountains. They were as exotic to me as West Africa and I was stunned by the beauty. We came from such different places and she was special. 

Kerri was a serious person. She took her job seriously. That is not to say she lacked humour. But she was earnest about what she did, and I admired that. She came to London a few years after Sierra Leone and then again in 2019 when we met one morning at the Charlotte Street Hotel to have breakfast. I have attached a photo from that day. After the breakfast we walked to the British Museum where Mike and Evan were waiting. How happy I am that I saw her then!  Kerri was an important friend who lived over the ocean and yet she had the emotional ability to keep friendships going despite the distance. I am so grateful for that. 

On the first visit to London she met my mother who said afterwards, “She has something of the outdoors about her”.  So true. The spirit of Colorado stayed with Kerri wherever she went. I am so sad she has gone, but it was a privilege to be her friend. 

Kerri has been a dear friend all of my life. I miss her but my heart is full of warm and sunny memories of our lives and the sunshine that she brought to us all. 

When I think of Kerri, I will always remember her dancing spirit! The times we spent dancing together will forever hold a special place in my heart.
Rich Russell

Kerri is such beautiful soul. Love you guys. Mike my heart goes out to you and your family. Thanks for the great words. There is a special place that warms my heart for the chance that Kerri and her family made it possible to get us all together in wonderful place like Grand Lake. 

My favorite memories of Kerri were the fun times we had in Winter Park CO. 
Mike Geary was my roommate and Ker was a frequent house mate! Nearly every night we’d listen to music and Ker would dance all night with that big grin! She never asked you to dance, she just grabbed and pulled you to fun ! 
I will always miss those days, she made everyone happy that surrounded her! 
RIP Ker, Love Donner

Not only was Kerri my little sister, she was/is my best friend.  This is a tremendous loss for me but her suffering is now gone.  She had such an impact on everyone's life and was such a light to all.  Even with 25 years of cancer in her life she had so many accomplishments including her marriage of almost 30 years to Mike and raising her incredible son, Evan.  We are all the better for having her with us for 58 years.  Now she is with Ted and our parents and other beloved family and friends.   Kathy James Rinker

A great obit Mike and Evan and wonderful pics of her!  Kerri provided the fabric of our Summers in GL!  She and I did lots of running back and forth between our cabins, but I spent countless hours at the James' cabin reading books on the dock, playing cards, learning a great way to make Mac N Cheese (Cheez Whiz!!!!), jumping on the trampoline, and sneaking beers on the Topeka under the 4th of July cover of darkness.  I think of her often and always with warmth in my heart.  I hope you two are healing and doing well!!!

Kerri-ji befriended everyone! She was always learning, sharing, laughing, and diving deep into the heart of everyone and everything. I was blessed to be part of the Interspiritual Mentor Training program with her. She was passionate about people, generous, fun, creative, and sincere. Her adventurous spirit, courage and compassion continue to inspire. Peace and Healing Light to all who love Kerri! 

Oh, Mike, what an incredible tribute to Kerri.  A novel in the making.  I feel so grateful to have been blessed to call her my friend.  In all her fierce bravery, she always held the grace and upper hand, smiled at me with her eyes and made me feel that everything would be ok.   

My first memory of her was walking up to the Burned out Ballroom at The Lodge with her mother and looking us new "lodge-lings" over soon after we arrived in 1977.   She was but a child yet she walked with the stride of an old soul.    Who knew she would sprinkle her love and wisdom on so many!  Her life was so rich with adventure and purpose.   I know she is here with us all.  Much love to the Geary/James families.  I love you all very much and thank you for your friendship.  

Kerri you were always a ray of sunshine. I remember when you and Mike got married and shared it via video. You lived a life of love and grace. I was lucky to know you many years ago. May you rest peacefully.
Carol

OBITUARY

Kerri James Geary

11 June, 1963 – 4 December, 2021

Allnutt Funeral Service – Drake Road Chapel

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