( Dec . 5 , 1965 – July 12 , 2023 )
( 1933 - 2023 )
14 lagunabeachindy . com SEPTEMBER 15 , 2023
OBITUARY :
Andrea Nicol Drexelius
( Dec . 5 , 1965 – July 12 , 2023 )
Andrea Nicol Drexelius passed from this life to the next on July 12 , 2023 , in Newport Beach , Calif ., at the age of 57 , after a brief and courageous battle with cancer .
Andrea was born Dec . 5 , 1965 , in Laguna Beach , Calif ., the fourth of five children of Dr . Richard J . “ Dick ” and Virginia Lorraine “ Lori ” ( Watrin )
OBITUARY :
Kathie Reynolds Housden
( 1933 - 2023 )
Laguna Beach has lost a beloved and inspiring educator , Kathie Reynolds Housden , who passed on Sept . 1 , 2023 , at age 90 .
Kathie was born in Washington , D . C ., in 1933 , and her family moved to California when she was only six months old . During WWII , the family lived in La Jolla , after which they moved north . Kathie became honor student at Stockton High School , and then completed her bachelor ’ s degree in education at Fresno State . After Kathie ’ s marriage to Ernie Reynolds , she taught kindergarten briefly and then settled into family life as a busy mother of three . When she resumed her teaching career in 1972 , it was at our own Top of the World Elementary . Years later , the district awarded her a sabbatical leave for graduate education ,
Drexelius . She and her four siblings were raised in Laguna Beach , and all attended St . Catherine of Siena Grade School there . Later , Andrea attended Cornelia Connelly High School in Anaheim , Calif .
Childhood summers were largely spent with friends and family , working around town , especially at the Festival of the Arts in Laguna Beach . During her time at Connelly High School , Andrea received her first taste of international travel as an exchange student in Ireland .
After graduating high school , Andrea first attended Southern Methodist University in Dallas but later transferred back to Southern California and then graduated from UCLA in 1988 with a bachelor ’ s degree in economics . She left California soon after graduation , leading a Bohemian young worker life in New York City for several years . She worked first for Morgan Stanley in money management and later for Rockefeller and Co ., engaging in property management as well as other areas of finance . During her early business career , Andrea traveled abroad whenever she could , including Europe and Japan . Andrea was a “ sponge ” when it came to areas of culture , whether it be art , music , cooking , wine or travel . French culture was her special passion . Later in her career , Andrea left New York to seek an opportunity to live abroad . She learned to speak the French language fluently , lived in Paris for nearly three years , and studied art history at the Ecole du Louvre ( all in French ). Andrea moved back to New York for a few years , but after the trauma of 9 / 11 , she made the decision to move back to Laguna Beach permanently . Nevertheless , wherever she was and whatever she was doing , Andrea always maintained her love of French culture and especially her “ joie de vivre .” In her later years , many summers were spent at a historic home in Beaune , France , which was a very special place for her .
After returning to Southern California , Andrea started her own business , French Basketeer , importing and then selling classic French baskets and totes from the former French colonies of Madagascar and Morocco . She formed a French-speaking social group in Laguna Beach . She also worked in office management at various times and Kathie completed her master ’ s degree at Pacific Oaks with a major in early childhood education and a minor in community college instruction .
Upon returning to TOW in 1984 , Kathie teamed with Ellen Tanney Fisher to develop an innovative program for 1st to 4th graders , the Community Learning Center . As her long-time friend and teaching partner , Ellen , notes , “ Kathie was the essence of CLC , beloved by students , parents and colleagues alike . She led with her loving heart and set an example of kindness for all to follow . The watchword at CLC was ‘ flexibility .’ That , and a chocolate chip cookie every Friday , kept us excited for each new day .”
After nine years at CLC , Kathie took early retirement to shift into college teaching . For the next 11 years , she worked with emerging teachers in the Child Development Center at Orange Coast College . While teaching at the CDC , Kathie published “ The School with Gentle Eyes ,” a book illuminating the affirmational and creative teaching methods developed at CLC .
Kathie began a new adventure , meeting her soulmate , Jack Housden , whom she married in 1995 at Tivoli Terrace , Laguna Beach . Together , Kathie and Jack followed their passion for hiking and taking nature photography in many national parks . Yosemite was their favorite .
In 2011 , the Housdens moved to a beautiful condominium overlooking Aliso Creek in Laguna Woods Village . They found wonderful fellowship in the Center for Spiritual Living and participated in many other community activities , including Kathie singing in the Village Chorale . The joy that Kathie and Jack shared in their 30-plus years together was a true gift for them and for everyone fortunate to be in their circle of love .
The Housden family members include Kathie ’ s loving husband , Jack ; sons Dwight Reynolds and Todd Reynolds ( Beth ); grandsons Cory and Josh ( Leanne ); brother Victor Gill ( Susan ); niece Courtney Gill , and her sons ’ father , Ernie Reynolds ( Arlis ).
A celebration of Kathie ’ s life will be held on Saturday morning , Sept . 23 , at Laguna Country United Methodist Church , 24442 Moulton Parkway , in Laguna Woods . The event will be held in Ficklin Hall , commencing at 10 a . m . Light refreshments will be served . Participants are encouraged to wear vibrant colors in Kathie ’ s honor . In lieu of flowers , donation checks may be made at the gathering or online to the Laguna Canyon Foundation at https :// lagunacanyon . org ( scroll down to check the box at the bottom of the page to donate in Kathie ’ s name ) or a charity of your choice .
PAID ANNOUNCEMENT with her father , Dick and sister Janis ’ s respective medical practices . Andrea volunteered many hours serving on the Connelly HS Board of Trustees . She enjoyed helping others at the Laguna Farmer ’ s market , cooking meals for friends and really anyone in need of assistance . Andrea was famous for her homemade cakes , her panache at throwing parties and helping others to entertain . Andrea loved her family and her many friends . She was devoted to her nieces and nephews , and especially to her parents , helping to care for them and living with them until the end at the family home in North Laguna Beach .
Andrea is survived by her mother , Lori Drexelius ; her sister , Michelle ( Marc ) Spitaleri of Huntington Beach ; her sister , Janis ( Martin ) Fee of North Tustin ; her brother , Rick ( Leticia ) Drexelius of Sedalia , Colo ., and her younger sister , Jacqueline ( Mark ) Phillips of Cody , Wy . She was preceded in death by her father , Dick Drexelius .
A memorial mass will be held at 10 a . m . on Saturday , Sept . 16 , at St . Catherine of Siena Parish Church in Laguna Beach . The mass is open to the public , family and friends . In lieu of flowers , donations in Andrea ’ s name may be made to the Laguna Beach Food Pantry ( lagunafoodpantry . org ).
Art
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PAID ANNOUNCEMENT
encircled within the elements of water and light will illuminate throughout the night in a phosphorescent glow powered by the residual energy of the sun .
Cichocki is a multidisciplinary artist renowned for exploring the cyclical patterns of decay and rejuvenation within the intricate tapestry of human-nature interactions . His trajectory of work spans the realms of painting , land art , sound art and natural science - encompassing eras from ancient oceans to present-day deserts .
“ The 11th Annual Art & Nature unites us all in celebrating the profound connections we can make to understanding the natural world through creativity ,” Laguna Art Museum Executive Director Julie Perlin Lee said . “ As a testament to our museum ’ s unique heritage as a center for the appreciation of artistic sensibility towards nature , the events of Art & Nature honor our commitment to embracing environmental awareness through contemporary art , our desire to present immersive and thoughprovoking programming for all and to support bold artistic experimentation to create a better world .”
Art & Nature will include Cichocki ’ s Circular Dimensions . This multi-sensory audiovisual performance will activate onto Rising Inversion on the evening of Saturday , Nov . 4 . Running concurrently to Rising Inversion from Nov . 2 to 26 , Cichocki will present Primordial Water , a solo exhibition of the artist ’ s latest work showcased at Laguna College of Art and Design ’ s LCAD Gallery located near the museum . Additionally , a new decade of Art & Nature is being ushered in with a schedule of events , including the annual free Family Festival .