A Paddle Out for Beth Kilpatrick, Half Moon Bay Surfer and Swordfighter

Beth Kilpatrick, a Half Moon Bay resident who was born in Green Bay and grew up in Abrams, Wisc., passed away on August 10, 2011 after suffering a second brain aneurysm on August 9 — a little more than a month after her first on July 7.

Beth was an Electrician Apprentice working for Elcor Electric via the Santa Clara IBEW 332 Electrical Workers Union.

She was 29 years old.

On August 20, a group of about 50 family and friends gathered at the Half Moon Bay Jetty at an event organized by Beth's husband to remember her on the beach, followed by a paddle out ceremony in the ocean that was befitting of her life as a surfer.

The couple moved to Half Moon Bay three years ago because they wanted to live by the ocean, Luke said. Once they got here, they took up surfing and developed a close circle of friends.

The 31-foot travel trailer that the pair called home allowed them to spend more time experiencing life instead of taking care of possessions.

Surfing was only just one of many things Beth Kilpatrick was passionate about.

"Beth was an electrician, a surfer, a swordfighter," said Luke, who was married to Beth for seven years.

"She was a lot of things to a lot of people," he said.

In attendance were Beth's family, Luke's family, and the friends Beth had gotten to know as an avid surfer and swordfighter. Beth's mother, Nancy Escamilla Schultze; brother Rob Schultze; cousin Amie Klockzien; and Sue Escamilla, Beth's aunt and Nancy's sister, had flown in from Wisconsin. Kaylene Brady, Beth's cousin, traveled to Half Moon Bay from Reno. Luke's sister Amber, mother, and father had flown in from Ontario, Canada as well. 

Luke had set up a cream and purple-colored surfboard standing in the sand — Beth's surfboard. Ringed by a purple lei over the top, it signified the group's meeting point. Each person was given an identical purple lei to wear.

Purple was Beth's favorite color, Luke said.

Though Beth was not religious, the remembrance started out with a group prayer from the Rev. Julie Nelson, a pastor at St. Edward's Episcopal Church in San Jose.

Nelson, Luke's friend and colleague, read some words from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.

The group hung their heads in prayer.

Luke then invited friends and family to share with each other their lasting memories of Beth.

Standing in a circle, the group honored her by reflecting on who Beth Kilpatrick was and what she meant to each person in attendance.

Luke told the story of how he and Beth met — at an astronomy star-watching party. "We spent more time talking than looking in the telescope," he laughed.

"Her favorite word was 'epic,'" said San Mateo resident Rachel Luxemburg, whose words brought out appreciative laughs by many.

"She was just so engaged and passionate about living her life," Luxemburg added. "She found something good about everything."

"She never wanted to hurt anyone else's feelings or take center stage," Luke's mother said. 

Fellow surfers spoke of the great joy Beth would express after catching what she told them was "the most amazing wave that any surfer had ever ridden."

Beth would come up to them afterwards in the water with a huge grin on her face, one said.

She was described as having "a contagious smile...I can still hear her laughing," the surfer said.

Beth's colleagues from the Circle of Swordfighters dojo in Half Moon Bay also spoke.

Vea Fier, a fellow swordfighter and Hayward resident, described Beth's dedication to the sport which involved a requirement to train in the rain, as well as wearing 50 pounds of armor while doing so.

"She was very resilient," Fier said.

Another colleague spoke of Beth's dedication while physically holding on to the wooden sword she made while swordfighting.

A modest display had been put together at the base of the surfboard representing who the 29-year-old was, and what she loved. Beth's hardhat represented her profession, and her sword represented her love of swordfighting. Flowers were tucked around a pair of brown hiking boots and at the front of the display. A photo of Beth taken by Luxemburg at this year's looked over the collection of items.

Luke and his best friend John Poore were the first to head out to the  ocean with their surfboards for the paddle out.

The rest of the wetsuit-clad group followed, including Rev. Nelson and Luke's mother and sister. Though the three had never surfed before, all got on a surfboard out in ocean to participate in the paddle out with a wish to honor Beth.

On the water, the group formed a circle and held hands. Each was invited to again tell a story about Beth.

After a prayer read by Poore, Luke released Beth's ashes in the circle. The group tossed their leis into the water as well.

At the same time, a small group of Beth's family members and friends held hands in a circle on the beach.

Like those in the water, who saw Beth's ashes being released, the circle on the beach allowed a group of white and purple balloons to take flight. They looked upward to follow the balloons' path as each made its way into the late afternoon sky, never to be seen again.

The paddlers came back to shore, and family and friends embraced in tight clusters, closing their eyes for one last goodbye.

"We're going to miss her," Luke said.

Beth Kilpatrick: July 30th, 1982 - August 10, 2011

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