1960 �" 2010
River Schmidt, 50, died at home in Richmond, California September 8, relieved from painful cancer, cared for by friends and skilled care givers.
River grew up in suburban Cleveland, joined the Women's Liberation Movement and came out as a lesbian in the early 1980s. She graduated from Kent State with a BS in nursing, worked for six years as a pediatric nurse, and then became an electrician. By 2005 she was supervising solar power technicians in California, New Jersey, Portugal, and Korea.
In the 1980s and 1990s River participated in Michigan Women's Music Festivals, led pagan rituals, was an artist and co-counselor.
In 1997 she moved to California. In her last decade she joined women's drumming circles, made stained glass art, developed her skills as an herbalist, and practiced The Artist's Way and Nonviolent Communication.
River is remembered for her practical resourcefulness, her warmth and generosity.
A memorial service will be at the Berkeley Fellowship of Unitarian Universalists at Cedar and Bonita, Berkeley, October 23rd at 4, followed by a potluck.
River was a student of Dzigar Kongrul Rinpoche. Donations can be made to his Buddhist Center: www.mangalashribhuti.org