Candace Anderson Koester Obituary (1993 - 2015)

Koester, Candace Anderson 67 High Springs, Florida, Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Private Practice - died on Thursday July 2, 2015 of breast cancer. Candace was born in Fukuoka, Japan to Major William A. Anderson and Faye W. Anderson, the second eldest of five children. She moved to Gainesville, Florida in 1960 when her father retired from military service. After graduating from Gainesville High School, she earned her undergraduate degree from Florida State University and graduate degree in Counseling from Purdue University. She returned to Gainesville in 1988 as Senior Family Therapist with Charter Springs Hospital in Ocala, Florida. In 1992, she opened her private practice in Gainesville, Florida as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and continued her work in private practice until her illness necessitated her retirement April 2011. Candace loved working with couples, families and individuals in her counseling practice and felt so blessed that she was one of those lucky people who had chosen a career that was "a perfect fit", rewarding and challenging - a career that provided daily opportunities for her own personal growth as well as her clients'. She said, "I thoroughly enjoyed the unique, emotionally intimate relationship between therapist and client." She felt it was exciting and fulfilling to help individuals help themselves as they grew stronger and more in control of their lives. Candace's spirituality and the principles that guided her life were based on the Humanist philosophy which emphasizes the personal worth of each individual and ability to create her/his own happiness and well-being, the capacity for self actualization in achieving our highest potential and the importance of taking personal responsibility for our lives. She expanded her focus in 1993 to include working with prospective adoptive parents and birth parents. During her career, she helped hundreds of prospective parents build their families through adoption. She treasured these experiences and felt deeply rewarded when grieving childless couples became loving parents and caring, unselfish birth parents had the opportunity to participate fully in the adoption process choosing loving, safe homes for their children. Candace really enjoyed life as she professed "never to be bored by all there was to experience and learn". She loved singing, playing her guitar, ballroom dancing, kayaking the rivers, making beautiful quilts and art projects, cooking and a host of other activities. She was a striver, a doer, a loving person, and an assertive person who valued honesty and integrity. She was not afraid to take risks in life and stand up for what she believed. She will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, and gran-mama as well as a devoted friend and respected colleague. She is survived by her husband who was devoted to her and lovingly cared for her in her illness; Lynn A. Williams, two wonderful children; Erin Candace Tyler and Ryman Vaughn Koester, three precious grandchildren; David James Tyler, Liam Alun Gardner and Avery "Finn" Gardner, her sister; Deborah Anderson (Crosby), two brothers; Greg Anderson (Melanie) and Stan Anderson (Melinda), four nieces; Susan, Sophie, Tasha and Tamara, three nephews; Lucas, Ian and Connor, great nieces and nephews; Saylor, Haven, Emmy and Anderson, four endearing aunts; Mona, Marcia, Kay and Diane. She also leaves behind many loving friends, colleagues and extended family. She was preceded in death by her father, her mother and her sixteen year old sister, Susan Anderson. There will be a celebration of life memorial service at the Unitarian Universalist Church 4225 NW 34th Street on Tuesday, July 7, 2015 at 3:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider Haven Hospice. And The Autism Research Foundation.