Kristin Amanda Rawlinson

1976 - 2024

Kristin Amanda Rawlinson

January 27, 1976 - August 13, 2024

Oakland, California - Kristin Amanda Rawlinson, a beautiful woman who lit up many lives and loved to spread joy and laughter, died suddenly August 13, 2024 in Oakland.

Kristin was born in Sacramento on Jan. 27, 1976, much to the delight of her parents, Gary and Catherine Rawlinson. When Kristin was a toddler, her parents divorced; when she was three, she and her mother moved to Bay City, Texas, to start a new family with Richard Luckett, her new dad.

Work assignments took the family to San Luis Obispo just in time to start school. Her childhood was happy and active. She was a sensitive, curious, smart little girl, learning the piano, playing soccer and attending the theatre with her parents.

She was a real trouper: In the 4th grade, despite having a 102-degree fever, she nailed her performance as Baloo the Bear in "The Jungle Book."

An excellent student, Kristin was ever the eager learner. In junior high school, she enjoyed international travel with her family, and a week in Paris kindled her love of France and the French language. She returned to France with her high school French class and traveled to England on a Brit-lit tour led by her favorite English teacher. She confidently led the San Luis Obispo High School yearbook staff, and Kristin's adviser complimented her for making each member feel valued and respected.

While attending UC Berkeley as a French Literature major, Kristin spent her junior year in Lyon, France, where she sought out a French apartment and roommate so she would be fully immersed in the language and culture.

After graduation from Cal, Kristin lived in San Francisco, working in various jobs. While she enjoyed many friendships, she did not find the jobs rewarding, so she enrolled at Sacramento State and earned a Master of Science in speech-language pathology.

Unfortunately, her career as a licensed speech-language pathologist was cut short as drugs changed her life. The last 10 of her 48 years were difficult, as she struggled with addiction.

Although her parents and friends were deeply saddened by Kristin's struggle, they loved her dearly and will forever remember her empathetic personality, her glorious smile and her amazing, hearty laugh.

Kristin is survived by her parents, Richard and Catherine Luckett of San Luis Obispo, and by her father, Gary Rawlinson of Sacramento, and sisters Mindy Kendle of San Antonio, TX, and Jennifer Feist of Folsom, CA. A celebration of life was held September 29 in Rocklin, CA.

In remembrance of Kristin and her love of theatre, her family gratefully suggests donations to San Luis Obispo Repertory Theatre (online at www.SLOREP.org) or mailed to SLO REP, P.O. Box 122, San Luis Obispo, CA 93406.