Kathleen M. Erndl, 63, of Tallahassee died suddenly Sunday (2/19/17) at her home. Born at the Naval Air Station at Patuxent River in Maryland, Dr. Erndl, a beloved professor and noted South Asian religious scholar, was an Associate Professor at Florida State University. Her love of South Asian culture began with her travel to Sri Lanka during her sophomore year at New College of Florida. She conducted research and traveled in India frequently, receiving the prestigious Guggenheim Fellowship, Fulbright-Hays, and NEH Fellowship. She authored, Victory to the Mother: The Hindu Goddess of Northwest India in Myth, Ritual, and Symbol (Oxford, 1993), co-edited, Is the Goddess a Feminist? The Politics of South Asian Goddesses (NYU Press, 2000), and published articles on Sakta traditions, spirit possession, women's religious expressions, methodology, and gender issues in Hinduism. Her teaching excellence gave her the Advanced Teacher of Year Award at FSU; she was also faculty advisor to the FSU Indian Students Association. Her knowledgeable and sincere influence touched students, colleagues, and friends globally.

She is survived by her partner: Yakini Kemp of Tallahassee; son: Gabriel Erndl-Clana of Tallahassee; brothers: Christopher of Sanford, Jay (Lauryn) of DeBary; mother: Edna Griffin (Ron-deceased) of DeBary; father: Bill (Mary Lee) of Daytona Beach; partner's daughter: Nzinga Kemp (Roshmond Patten) of Los Angeles, CA; and nieces and nephew: Jessica, David, Emily, Christina, Stephanie, and Larisa.

A memorial service will be held Sunday, March 26, 2017 at 3:00 PM at The Alumni Center at FSU, 1030 West Tennessee St., Tallahassee, FL 32304. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to: the Southern Poverty Law Center or the Refuge House of Tallahassee.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Tallahassee Democrat on Feb. 26, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Kathleen Erndl

Sponsored by Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home Riggins Road.

29 Entries

Terry Eagan

August 7, 2017

Kathleen was my advisor and assisted me in my Master's Thesis at FSU. I really can't find the words to convey how great a teacher and person she was. I am at a loss. She was simply incredible.

Yakini Kemp

April 2, 2017

Kathleen was a goddess, my friend, and my wonderful love. She made a great contribution to this world. Her friends and influence extend across continents. Her belief in the goodness of human beings was real.

Lin Herz

March 28, 2017

Priscilla and Kathy circa 1968

Lin Herz

March 28, 2017

Lin Herz

March 28, 2017

The essence of Kathy at 16: Photograph taken by Priscilla Dean in front of her hoe.

Lin Herz

March 28, 2017

1976: Eileen's new home (l to r: Eileen Stanga Schaap, Sherrill Farabee, Kathy, Lin)

Lin Herz

March 28, 2017

Jayme Harpring

March 25, 2017

Kathleen had a light in her...and I feel lucky to have had a chance to share in it in a little. I will remember her smile and her laugh, her kindness and spark and brilliance.

Lin Herz

March 13, 2017

I truly still can't fathom a world without Kathy in it. We have been friends since she was 9 and I was not quite 12. My heart breaks for her Edna, Chris, Jay, Bill, her nieces and other loved ones.. Her memory will be a blessing to the many people whose lives she touched. I will never forget her.

Kathy and Priscilla as kids - approx. 1968

Priscilla Dean

March 11, 2017

Having been childhood friends of Kathy's since 1962, I will hold many cherished memories of this incredible person in my heart forever! Priscilla Dean, Phoenix, AZ

Indira Peterson

March 6, 2017

I am deeply saddened to hear of Kathleen's passing. I admired her contributions to the field, and her warmth as a colleague. She clearly inspired her students. She will be deeply missed.

Margy Robinson

March 2, 2017

Kathleen was a colleague at University of Wisconsin and when I moved to Portland I was delighted to find out she was living here! I was sad she was moving away so soon after we reconnected. She was fun, loved laughter and keenly curious. She will be missed!

Caleb Simmons

March 1, 2017

I can say Kathleen Erndl literally changed my life. I remember reading her essay in Is the Goddess a Feminist and deciding at that moment to go to grad school to study Hindu goddesses. Then I had the great fortune to study with her at FSU for my MA, where she surpassed all of my expectations. Professor Erndl carefully cultivated my interests and gave me an example of how to be a caring professor and human. She was an amazing mentor and friend (even tried to teach me how to cook Indian food at several end-of-the-semester potlucks she hosted for all of her undergraduate and graduate student!). She will truly be missed. She was such a brilliant, warm, and generous person.

Wenyang Zhai

March 1, 2017

Your encouragement and support warmed my heart. Always remember your delightful sound of laughing, attentive eyes and words of caring. Thank You and Miss You!

February 28, 2017

So many rich and fond memories of many shared adventures and explorations with Kathy here in this corner of the Himachal Pradesh! May the Devi Kathy shared her sincere devotion to greet her with Her Infinate Loving Grace.
Didi Contractor,

Mark Froelich

February 26, 2017

Thank you, Dr. Erndl, for sharing your wisdom and humor with so many people.

Scarlett Saavedra

February 26, 2017

Having been as superb and lively a human being as ever existed, Kathleen begins her transformation. I can't envision her becoming anything but one of the goddesses.

I am very grateful for the great times with her and her beloved Yakini. I will never forget her lovely voice and jubilant laughter. Nor will I forget her fierce mother love for Gabe, who most carry forth her strong, compassionate heart.

anna green

February 25, 2017

I am honored and humbled to be able to say I knew such a wonderful person. She was truly an amazing woman.

Elizabeth Downing

February 25, 2017

Kathy was a dear friend from graduate school in Arizona. Although we hadn't seen each other in years, I have fond memories of our classes and times together

Logan Beitmen

February 25, 2017

Dr. Erndl was my mentor and one of the most compassionate and inspiring people I've ever known. Her memory will live on in her writing and in the hearts and lives of her many friends, students, and colleagues around the world.

Carla Reid

February 25, 2017

Many condolences to Kathleen's family and her colleagues at FSU. She will be missed by many--a lovely friend of many years.

Rhonda Beitmen

February 25, 2017

Thank you, Dr. Erndl, for being a wonderful mentor to my son and so many others. So glad that I was able to meet you and give you a hug. Praying for your family and the FSU family that you have left behind.

Gloria Darling

February 25, 2017

Kathleen was one of the first people I met after moving to Tallahassee. She was always welcoming and kind. My life is better for having her in it, albeit for a short time. To Yakini, my heart aches for you. Please cherish the happy times you had together.

Jessica Carr

February 24, 2017

So saddened to hear of Kathleen passing. Her name has often been on my lips as an amazing scholar. But first for me, she was an excellent teacher. My experience with her as an undergraduate was formative, and I consider her often as a model of form and content for how to teach, how to live.

The McVicar Family

February 24, 2017

For the many lives touched by Dr. Erndl, we wish great peace and comfort as her life and legacy are remembered.

Steve McDowell

February 24, 2017

I was very glad to work with Kathleen on a number of projects, and will miss greatly her energy, knowledge, and good humor.

Lee Metcalf

February 22, 2017

Her dedication to her students and her sense of humor made her a delight to work with. She will be greatly missed.

Jerrilyn McGregory

February 22, 2017

With Kathleen's passing, many hearts are now broken. My heart is heavy for you in this hour of grief, so I send my heartfelt condolences.

Susan Stetson

February 22, 2017

My thoughts are with you and your family. It was a pleasure to know Dr. Erndl and work with her. She was always cheerful, interesting to talk with, and she will be greatly missed.

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