Gloria Karpinski
1935 - 2025
Gloria Karpinski died peacefully on May 27, 2025 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Born Gloria Dawn Gilmore to Carl and Elizabeth Gilmore on December 11, 1935 in Roanoke, Virginia. She was a curious, imaginative and artistic child. She attended Greensboro Senior High, where she was May Queen. She graduated from Woman’s College, later known as the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, in English and Psychology. Gloria taught at Aycock Junior High, wrote for a Greensboro newspaper, had a column in Home Furnishings Daily, and served as Information Director at Old Salem. In 1958, she gave birth to a son Carlton and in1959 a daughter Dawn.
Gloria, after study, training, and much self-exploration became a psychospiritual teacher. She designed and led workshops nationally and internationally. Women and Wisdom, a non-profit Greensboro organization, which encourages people to awaken their inner wisdom and passionate creativity to benefit humanity, sponsored Gloria in 1979 for her first of many New York workshops. Women and Wisdom has continued to give loving and devoted support for Gloria’s work throughout the rest of her life. In her work, Gloria facilitated and celebrated individuals’ discovery of the Divine Mother and Light within us all. She enabled the connection and establishment of a deep relationship to Spirit through her charismatic teaching, meditations, life readings, and writing.
Gloria was also a published author with Where Two Worlds Touch, Barefoot on Holy Ground, and Midnight Rainbows, A Memoir. Her website Center Circle offers wisdom and images that inspire. She liked nothing better than supporting another in their growth through word and deed. Center Circle may be reached through www.gloriakarpinski.com
Surviving are son Carlton Walden Karpinski (Leslie), their three sons, Patrick, Kevin (Kaycie), and Alex (Kenzie), and daughter Dawn Elizabeth Hall (Mitch), and their son Joshua (Heather) and their daughter Kristin (TJ). Gloria has 8 great-grandchildren. She was an adoring grandmother, known as GG.
Donations to Trellis Hospice in Winston Salem and Women and Wisdom Foundation will be gratefully received in Gloria’s name. www.trellissupport.org www.womenandwisdom.com
Gloria changed my life in so many ways. I will forever be grateful for her teachings, her wisdom, her compassion and understandings far beyond this lifetime. She taught me, inter alia, much about how to put on my shoes and walk in this world. 💜
Gloria touched my life in profound ways. Her amazing spiritual gifts set me on my own spiritual road and started me on my journey. Since my first encounter with her I have never looked back. May she be blessed always.
As a friend, mentor and spiritual teacher, Gloria was a lodestar for me. She walked the path that she taught, gathering in myself and so many others as she moved through the world. I was blessed and grateful to know her in this lifetime. Hugs and love to you always, Gloria.
I shall always have the deepest Gratitude for Gloria’s Presence in my life. It has been the richest Blessing to receive her luminous teachings, sweet friendship and delightful company. Her Light is Eternal.
Gloria was my Spiritual Mentor for over 40 years and the catalyst for my spiritual transformation. Her wisdom guided so many of my life decisions and inspired me to pursue the work I chose in life. From my first workshop with her in Asheville, NC, to her inspirational books, to the transcendent Spiritual Journeys together to Bali and Greece, she was an ever-present example of unconditional love and spiritual power in the feminine body. She Christened my two youngest children and then served as a powerful role model for both of my daughters, leaving a multi-generational legacy of spiritual guidance for which I am deeply grateful. Although I am sad that she didn’t make it to Serenity Ranch here in Florida for the respite she planned and so deserved, I will remain connected with her in Spirit forever, and her voice will live in my Soul to be shared with everyone on my path.
I started to think of all the ways Gloria impacted my life…truly her words and teachings come to mind every single day and are an essential part of my daily life. I call her words “Gloria-isms” and decided to start collecting them in my notes to share. Also, I call my GPS, “Gloria,” as she is a guiding light in my life.
Gloria –Isms
Worrying is like praying for something you don’t want
Find the poise in the chaos
Not which 15 things can I do, but which are THE few tools that work for me
When doing something challenging, remember…Privilege, not pressure
All the way to heaven is heaven, Catherine of Sienna
When speaking to a group, ask yourself…what gift can I give them, rather than, how am I doing?
Prayers:
I am the daughter of the mother father God, only that which is for my highest could shall come to me…only that which is light shall come from me. For the privilege of being able to serve… I give thanks…thank you mother father God
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Show me the perfect thing to do today and do it perfectly through me
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Beloved creator, here’s my heart, fill it with love
Here is my mind, fill it with truth
Here’s my body, fill it with renewal
Here is my spirit, fill it with faith
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I awaken and remember, I am one with the mother, one with the father and one with all that is
—-Poems she shared—-
Lawrence Ferlingetti poem: Buddhist in the Woodpile
David Whyte poem: Barefoot on Holy Ground (also named her book after)
Rumi: Where Two Worlds Touch (also named her book after)
—-Books she recommended to me—-
Sabbath, Wayne Muller
Tattoos on the Heart, Gregory Boyle
—Places and People she recommended —-
Lauren Artress, Veriditas (Labyrinth)
Chartres Cathedral, France (Black Madonna and labyrinth)
Sophia Institute, Charleston, Carolyn Rivera and Henk Brandt
Women and Wisdom Foundation
“You can pray all day, but if you swear at the cab driver, that’s your prayer for the day.” One of many. I was so privileged to attend the original W&W workshops in NYC with Gloria, had private counsel, flew to NC to attend a spectacular workshop. Angel Cards!!! She opened so much of me and set me on this outrageous fantastic life path. I got to channel for her at the NC workshop. She was magical and irreverent. Shall we call her Saint Gloria? Thankyou Gay Baynes!
I had the pleasure of meeting Gloria in 1972 where she and her family resided in an up and coming highly sought out family neighborhood name. “Sherwood Forest”. Her daughter Dawn and I quickly formed an inseparable bond. My initial impression of Mrs.Karpinski was her stunning beauty, poise, and larger-than-life presence. From then on and for many decades. I considered the Karpinski’s as family. Gloria will be deeply missed. I am left with wonderful memories,
Much love and respect!
Amy Fox
I met Gloria many years ago. I enjoyed being in her presence. I admired her as a person and as a spiritual teacher. I attended many of her work shops and and enjoyed her spiritual guidance. My last meeting with her was about 3 or 4 years ago. Her wisdom and guidance helped me through a very difficult time after losing my grandson. I remember our past times together going back to the very early days of the seventies. She will be missed and I look forward to seeing her again on the other side.
By: Carol Robbins
Dear Gloria, thank you for all your strength and wisdom throughout the years. I first met you when I was 18 and all these years later, your words still ring true and deep. I’m so lucky to have known you! Much love.
By: Sara Woodmansee
Beloved Gloria, I am for ever grateful that our paths crossed, you will always live in my heart.
From the first workshop in Norfolk uk to hosting workshops for you in London you have given me so much, your wisdom, your humanity, your humour and love.
May you be surrounded by angels eternally Natacha 💜🌟💜
Gloria became my rock, my mentor and my illuminator. I first met her in 1986 when I was taking a course in hypnotherapy and was told that I needed to connect to a psychic before I went any further. I asked my angels to give me the name of a “psychic” – the term used in those days for an intuitive –and I received Gloria’s name from different sources in less than a week after returning home. She lived only a few miles from me and shockingly was able to see me in the week, having returned home early from a retreat in Iceland. Little did I know what I was in for —-she did the most profound analysis of my family and my origins. A few weeks afterward, before I was becoming Chair of the Greensboro Day School and having great anxiety about my upcoming position and the role I was to play as a past life regressionist AND Chair of the Greensboro Day School, she gave me another reading and it was profound on the depth of understanding of my husband’s family of origin and issues unknown of deep concern. Needless to say, her impact on my path and inner awareness and outer success was more than profound and she has always been an influence for good, for wisdom, for awareness, and for my life . I hold her in highest esteem and deepest gratitude
I write, knowing that any and all words will fall short. A one-of-a-kind blessing to anyone lucky enough to be friend, family, student or client, Gloria Karpinski powerfully brought spirit, wisdom and generosity of soul into this mundane world. A fierce advocate for the Divine Mother, she pioneered the re-awakening of hearts to seek balance and change within patriarchal society. For me, Gloria exemplified how to live from an empowered core of being without assuming a masculine form of expression to do so. Her healing touch and wise words resonated on such myriad levels, penetrating both directly and subtly.
I have never met a better question asker! A characteristic that spoke of Gloria’s genuine, compassionate interest in the lives and well-being of those around her, as well as the brilliance of her curious mind. It underscored her extraordinary ability as teacher and mentor, so often nestled into a container of creativity, beauty and playfulness. I will sorely miss our long sessions of sharing stories, and perhaps most of all, our hours of laughter…
Her dear mother once said that Gloria’s true name was LOVE…perhaps in that moment offering the best possible summation of the essence of a remarkable woman and a life well-lived.
Gloria was one of my first spiritual teachers. Her guidance, readings, care, and love have lived within me for decades since I first met her, about 35 years ago. Although I have not seen Gloria for a long time, I have often called upon her wisdom when facing both challenging and enjoyable situations through the years. One of the most powerful encounters I had with Gloria occurred while I was studying at a university located in the US, in a different state from where she lived. I encountered a very difficult situation at the university. I called Gloria for assistance. She said she would send me distant healing at a certain time. When the time came, I lay down, and I could feel her healing going through my body from one part to another. It was remarkable that my body became warm in the areas where she was working, and additionally, my skin turned red in the parts she was working on from a distance. When I returned to the university situation after Gloria’s healing, the energy was different, and the trouble no longer disturbed me as much. Thank you, Gloria, for your healing at that time and all other times when you generously shared your love, wisdom, and light with me. May Mother, Father God, and all your angels surround and bless you forevermore.
I met Gloria at the recommendation of my mother-in-law, who was also helped by her. In two visits, she transformed my belief system forever. I always felt that she could really see me. At the same time, she didn’t judge what she saw. I felt like I was in the presence of someone very beautiful. I worked with what she told me for years and years. I am grateful to have known her.
A beautiful and loving thank you for your enormous heart and appetite for life. Your abundant, seemingly endless energy and great teachings, profound, simple and very touching. I want to thank you for all the doors in myself you helped me open and for the tremendous women I have met at all your UK workshops 🙏🙏
To Suzette Clough, sarahwarwick, Natacha Ledwidge, Lala Birchak and many many more.
you have given us a tremendous ride in life. And are still a huge inspiration,
look forward to seeing you again the next time.💛🌷😊🙏🌷💛
I was in peaceful meditation this morning when Gloria came to mind and I offered joyful thanks and prayer in her honor, for the countless ways she changed my life! Afterward, I saw the email and learned of her memorial service, which was taking place as I was in meditation. While sorry I missed the event, I am grateful we connected as her memorial was unfolding
Through Gloria’s books, in-person events, and Spiritual Direction sessions, she quickened my awakening and soul evolution. Her divinely inspired guidance inspired and informed my life for decades!, and continues to provide me with light and direction for my ongoing soul journey. I still feel beloved Gloria with me, for which I am most humbly and eternally grateful. She was and is a joyful blessing. To close with the words of Linda Beatrice Brown, “My inner landscape expanded beyond anything I had imagined” through Gloria’s teachings, writings, presence, and Spiritual Direction sessions. I am absolutely in awe of her magnificence, what a bright light! I bow deeply to All She Is. I am so grateful, and will be for eternity, that I was lucky enough to cross paths with her. I love you beyond words, dear Gloria, and I look forward to our grand reunion one fine day.
I was fortunate enough to be a student of Gloria’s Creativity & Wisdom Teachings. Her holistic and compassionate approach was authentic and inspirational. Her unique wisdom teachings and holistic approach will continue to ripple as far as I can see forever as her legacy lives on.
Beautiful Gloria. Thank you so much for the ‘is-ness’ of you. For your smile and laughter. For your inner and outer beauty, poise and grace. Meeting you in my mid-30s marked the beginning of my spiritual journey, which continues today, and your teachings still reverberate through my life. Thank you for crossing paths with me on this journey, and I hope to see you again in a future life xxx
Many many years ago in the 80’s I came to Gloria for a reading
She read the energy field within my mind. Her message was clear and blew my mind away.
Her passing has brought me back to mind through her spirit. Am forever grateful.