Panna Flower

Panna Flower, 86, passed away on July 27, her heart tired, but spirit strong.

Born on July 19, 1940, along with her “womb-mate” Rick, in Philadelphia, she was the daughter of Dr Richard Philip and Claire Custer. She graduated from Middlebury College, later also earning a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling and certification as a cranial sacral massage therapist. She was a beloved yoga instructor, a volunteer for the Burning Bush to support people with AIDS when it was still taboo, a Link crisis line volunteer, a dedicated hospice worker. She stepped into spaces where people were vulnerable and stood firm.

Panna was passionate about social justice and leaves behind a trove of inspiring tee shirts “Bloom where you are planted”, “Lettuce grow together” and many more. In her last month with us, she joined her Quaker friends on a float in the Yellow Springs Pride parade. In addition to her Quaker roots, Panna an active member of many faith communities, same destination. She embraced Quaker, Lutheran, Buddhist, Native American beliefs and communities as home.

Panna posted her “Gems along the way” religiously on Facebook. She had a gift for seeing the overlooked, for reminding us to slow down, to notice nature’s offerings like a blossom of mushrooms, a discarded heart shaped seed pod, the rare double rainbows. While the rest of us wolfed down our food, Panna savored. She was patient, a trusted confidant and would spend hours listening to friends as they sorted through life.

Panna was a minimalist, treading lightly on Mother Earth who, she would often say, was pretty angry lately. It was a lifetime of composting, faithfully toting reusable bags, gardening for fresh cherry tomatoes especially, vegetarian eating and juicing.

Panna is preceded in death by her parents, twin brother, and dear daughter Christelie.

She is survived by her daughter, Dawn, her grandchildren, Seb, William, and Luke, and treasured extended family and friends.

A memorial service will be held mid September in Yellow Springs, Ohio. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to American Friends Service Committee or Heifer International. Or you can honor Panna’s memory by stopping to notice a gem along the way, take a photo, and share with friends.