Katherine Ann "k.g." Grgich

1958 - 2013

K.G., our daughter, sister and friend passed away doing what she loved the most, traveling and looking for beautiful beaches. Katherine was born and raised in Santa Barbara, California. She had a vibrant soul and infectious laugh that touched everyone's lives, including strangers; people were drawn in. Even in her youth, she was a true leader. In her hometown she received the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution) award at La Colina Junior High and was elected vice president of San Marcos High School. She graduated with a fine arts degree from Arizona State University. Wherever she lived - Santa Barbara, Venice Beach, Kona, Hawaii, Palm Springs, - K.G.'s loving and generous spirit spurred her to volunteer for organizations to help troubled, disadvantaged, and homeless youth; she received a commendation from the City of Los Angeles for her efforts. She loved dogs and animals, volunteering for local animal shelters and caretaking domestic pets. She donated her time at the Kona Outdoor Circle — an organization that upholds the Hawaiian culture. Katherine was an admired bodysurfer, enjoying many years in her "special bay" on Kona. A bona fide selkie at heart, K.G. sometimes seemed more comfortable in the ocean than on land. And she stayed totally fit. Katherine worked out religiously - cycling, lifting weights, swimming. Along with her healthy lifestyle, K.G. loved cooking. Not long ago she took a cooking class in Thailand, which combined two of her passions: cooking and travel. Full of selfless and endless curiosity about people, K.G. worked for numerous elite spas that valued her gifts as a natural healer, skilled masseuse, and reiki master. But her true joy was travel, and she had recently started a travel retreat business for women. Katherine finally found her ultimate paradise in heaven Sept 23, 2013 (born 2/6/1958), in Koh Rong ("Paradise Island"), Cambodia. On her way to the beach, she was attacked and killed. The suspect(s) are still at large and our family continues to work with the U.S. Embassy to find closure. She was 55. We know that K.G. is now bodysurfing the galaxies so when you look up in the sky think of her. She rests in the eternal peace that she sought on her spiritual journey. She is survived by her parents, George and Susan Grgich, her sisters Amy Grgich and Jennifer (Tom) Grgich-Harden. We will never forget you, Katherine, our daughter, sister, and friend. You will always remain our special "gift." If you would like to connect with the family please email us @: sugar_shack77@yahoo.com

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