Cynthia Kinikia (Kia) Abilay was born in Mississippi on May 2, 1950 and raised in her mother’s native Hawaii in a generational Portuguese immigrant family. Raised as a Catholic with early intentions of becoming a nun, Kia’s path changed when, as a nursing assistant, she was introduced to the energy work of Healing Touch. She would play a great many roles in her life, including Nursing Assistant, Hotel and Front Desk Manager, Waitress, Medical Marketer, Tourism Marketer, Switchboard Operator, Certified Healing Touch Practitioner, One Spirit Minister, Wedding Officiant, creator of the beloved Chakra Bear and coloring book, Akashic Records Teacher, and Energy and Intuitive Communicator. Kia was always in touch with Spirit, and this connection carried her through life and into the lives of others where, through her big “rainbow heart” and her beautiful soul, she spread love and joy to all she touched.
After countless adventures, in 2016, Kia was synchronistically led to the “Dream Weavers” building in Kingston, NY where she became an honorary member of the Vanacore family. Finding her own personal slice of heaven, perched on the top floor with picture perfect sunset views, she settled here to continue her work and her mission to walk 13 labyrinths before her 70th birthday. She was a monthly guest on Radio Kingston’s Planet Seniors with Rita Vanacore and also began a career in acting with such roles as “Meditator” in the film Silent Retreat and as a Court Reporter in the film The Secret Diary of an Exchange Student. Despite the glamour of the big screen, Kia’s favorite role was undoubtedly as Mrs. Claus in the annual Uptown Kingston Snowflake Festival. As her acting resume lists, she was most certainly a woman of many “special skills:” laughing, snorting, psychic readings, speaking in tongues, hula dancing, and praying on demand.
From June 2020 to October of 2021, Kia embarked on a profound journey to capture her life and its lessons for others in the form of a book titled The Gift of Listening: Cultivating Your Connection with Spirit <https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09HSR7T4H?ref_=k4w_oembed_c0YOU1DdCxbnyg&tag=kpembed-20&linkCode=kpd>. As she shares in Chapter 15, in December 2020 the work slowed down, and in March of 2021 she announced that she was diagnosed with esophageal cancer. With the tremendous support of Dominick Vanacore and his family, and numerous friends and family members from around the globe, she persevered with a smile through a mostly liquid diet, many doctor visits, and radiation. In October of 2021, Kia’s book was at last published, but she had a setback with her health and was back in the hospital, only to be released into hospice care in her home where she was looked after by the Vanacores, her brother Thomas, her sister-in-law Sharon and her cat Penny. On November 22, 2021 at 11:11, surrounded by family and friends, Kia ascended once again to the heavenly realm where her spirit will continue to spread love and joy to all.
She is survived by her son, Anthony Perry; her brothers, Guy Dennis Brown, Abel Thomas Brown; sister-in-law Sharon Brown; nephews Brandon (and wife May) Brown, Tyler Brown and Abel Brown; grandnieces Everleigh, Avery, Mila and Dylan; and her niece Malia French Floyd; in addition to countless friends and loved ones from around the world. Kia was preceded in death by her mother, Lorraine Bernadette “Bernie” Brown (nee Medeiros), her stepfather, Guy Brown and her biological father, Daniel Charles Eubanks.
A Celebration of Life will be taking place on May 2nd at 6pm at the St. John’s Episcopal Church, 207 Albany Ave, Kingston, NY. Please do wear your brightest colors, nail polish, and lipstick in honor of her vibrant and radiant soul. For those out of town, please feel free to join the Celebration via Zoom <https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86311947623>. If you’d like to make a donation in Kia’s name, she was a regular supporter of Angel Food East, whose mission of community care assists neighbors in need by bringing nutritious, delicious food and friendship to their doors. Angel Food East often fills the gap, serving those who do not qualify for assistance or may need some help for a short period of time <http://www.angelfoodeast.org/donate>.
Join the family! 
