Reverend Doctor Katherine Economou, 53, of Fallbrook, CA died on Thursday, June 27, 2024 after a long, courageous battle with breast cancer.

Katherine, or Kathy to her family and Rev K to her faith community, was born on June 5, 1971 in Milford, Massachusetts to Leon and Wanda Economou and was the youngest of four siblings. She married Stephen Butterworth in 2006 in Fallbrook, California and gave birth to their daughter Emilie Anthea in 2007.

Katherine earned a BA in Liberal Arts from Hofstra University, where her studies and proximity to New York City strengthened her love of the arts, especially dance, musical theater, and movies. After college Katherine trained as a massage therapist, which ignited the realization that helping others would forever be her guiding principle.

Katherine moved to California in 1998, where her brother Nick and his family had recently settled. She soon found a spiritual home at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living in Encinitas, CA and went on to earn a Master's in Consciousness Studies and an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Holmes Institute.

In December 2013 she stepped into the senior minister position at the Center for Spiritual Living in Temecula Valley and for the next 8+ years she nurtured a safe, all-inclusive sacred space for seekers of truth to come together and explore spirituality in community.

Her life was an expression of love. Katherine brought a commitment and joy to her family creating a beautiful life for Emilie and Steve and all those who knew her. She was always available to lend an ear to those in pain and was the first to point out the goodness in everyone she knew. Most often before they could see it themselves.

Kathy's passion for the arts extends to Emilie's love of dance. The family will be forever grateful to the friends in their dance community who offer support and encouragement.

When not helping others, she would tend her vegetables, fruit trees, and chickens.

Katherine brought brightness, laughter, and joy to every room she entered, even when her resilience was pushed to the limit fighting against illness for almost a decade.

Katherine is survived by her husband Steve, daughter Emilie, step-daughters Kristi and Kassie, her mother Wanda, siblings and their partners John and Emily, Elaine and Patrick, Christine and Tom, and her beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brother Nick in 2008 and father Leon in 2013.

Losing such a beautiful soul so young leaves a hole in the hearts of the many people who loved her. Her generous spirit, kindness, wisdom, courage and playfulness will be so dearly missed.

There will be a celebration of life service at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living, 1613 Lake Drive, Encinitas, CA, on Saturday, August 3rd, 12:00 PM. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook at Seaside Center for Spiritual Living in Encinitas. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Emilie's College Fund with family code V13-S3C.