Charlotte Whitaker Lewis
Nov. 1, 1947-Dec. 29, 2011
San Francisco, California
Submitted by Jessica Lewis

Charlotte Ann Whitaker Lewis passed away on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2011. Charlotte was an accomplished therapist, teacher, healer and mother to two extraordinary children -- Jared and Jessica. Charlotte was committed to her practice, her profession, her students and most importantly to her family.

She is survived by her four sisters, Patricia, Janice, Jacki and Karen; and three grandchildren, Rachel, Nathaniel and Jason; as well as scores of family members, students, friends and colleagues.

Charlotte was born on Nov. 1, 1947, in Palo Alto, Calif. Palo Alto was her home and meant a lot to her even after she moved to San Francisco. She attended Cubberley High School in Palo Alto and later attended Dominican College in San Rafael. She received her B.S. in Psychobiology and Neurophysiology from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Originally, Charlotte wanted to pursue a career as a brain surgeon but over time she found her true calling as a spiritual Jungian psychologist. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from the California Institute of Integral Studies in San Francisco.

Charlotte wore many hats and was certainly multi-talented as well as multi-dimensional in her thinking and her lifestyle. She had a large private therapy practice, was a core faculty member at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology in Palo Alto, and co-owned two businesses -- Stillpoint Counseling Center and Living Systems Land Management. Charlotte was a healer in so many ways. She exemplified the living of an authentic life, one of purpose and action. Her life has had a profound effect on those she has touched. She has healed wounds, changed lives and been witness to many life journeys. Charlotte, above all, was kind and gracious and sought to always do the right and ethical thing on behalf of others in the world around her.

As a mother and grandmother, she was playful, an ever-present listener, a ferocious "Mama" bear and when she held you, the love from her arms pulsed through your body. In her; with her; and around her, everything was all right. Without her, life will be confusing and empty for those she touched; but her memory will remain pulsing through our bodies and hearts as a constant strength and warmth for us all. Charlotte accomplished so much in her life and will leave a lasting legacy not only for her family but also for all those she encountered.

As a memorial to her life, please join family, friends, students and colleagues on Friday, Feb. 3, 2012, beginning at 7 p.m. at the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology at 1069 E. Meadow Road in Palo Alto for a service of memory, reflection and above all joy and celebration.

In lieu of gifts or flowers, please make a donation to the "Charlotte Whitaker Lewis Scholarship Fund" established through the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology to support students pursuing advanced degrees at the school. Gifts can be made online at http://itp.givezooks.com/campaigns/in-memory-of-charlotte , or by mailing a check payable to ITP to 1069 E. Meadow Circle, Palo Alto, CA 94303. Please note on the check that your gift is in memory of Charlotte. Your gift will thus ensure her legacy and assist those similarly committed passionately to education and the advancement of the soul. For questions please e-mail Jessica Lewis at cresentmoons@hotmail.com.

Tags: teacher/educator, business