July 16, 1977 – October 24, 2021
Kristy Lee Anne Otu-Tei was a loving mother, wife, sister, daughter, and friend. She passed away on October 24, 2021 at age 44.
She is survived by her husband of 7 years, Clement Otu-Tei; three daughters, Mykah Abiah Ridenour, Ami Michelle Otu-Tei, Brielle Nadine Otu-Tei; her two grandchildren; her mother and stepfather, Judy Lynn Seals and Norm Seals; her siblings, Aaron Dowse, Justin Dowse, Ryan Dowse, Chad Seals, Lyndzee Cordova; her cousin Rhyana Bicondova and her ex-husband, Robert L. Ridenour, and many loving friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Mark Dowse.
She was born to Judy Lynn Bicondova (Seals) and Mark Dowse on July 16, 1977 in Fontana, California. She grew up in both Southern California and the California Central Valley. After graduating from Exeter Union High School in 1995, she earned her B.A. and teaching credential from CSU Bakersfield. Her dedication to educating and mentoring young children led her to teach kindergarten for 4 years. During this time in her life, she adopted her first daughter, Mykah, with her ex-husband, Robert L. Ridenour. After teaching, her ambitious spirit shone through as she decided to change careers and pursue her dream career–nursing. She earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from the College of the Sequoias in Visalia before obtaining a BSN from Capella University. After receiving her nursing degree, she worked as a registered nurse at Emanuel Medical Center in Turlock, California for 5 years. Kristy was well known to not only heal her patients physically, but also spiritually and emotionally through her empathy, patience, and compassion. She earned the Daisy Award while working at Emanuel Medical Center for her extraordinary dedication and work ethic. Kristy was a lifelong learner and always sought opportunities to learn and grow so she could care for others. Her personal experience with women’s health (starting from her young adult years) fueled her to earn her Arvigo Practitioner license and start her own business, Healing Start, dedicated to providing holistic health to women through natural healing remedies and techniques. After her time at Emanuel Medical Center, she worked at Danny’s Home Health as a home health nurse. She was dedicated to providing the utmost care to her patients. Her experience, multifacetedness, perseverance, and empathy helped her become the best nurse, mother, and friend she could possibly be.
Kristy met Clement at the College of the Sequoias during nursing school. A friendship turned into a lifelong bond and they were married soon after graduating. They both moved to Turlock in September 2014 and created a beautiful family. They were soon blessed with two beautiful children, Ami and Brielle. Ami and Brielle were and continue to be her heart and soul.
Kristy’s dynamic nature can be found at the intersection of family, nursing, and dance. Throughout her life, Kristy found music and dance to be her outlet and way of expressing herself. She owned a dance studio in Porterville, Positive Phlo Creative Industries, where she opened opportunities for community members, especially children of low privileged backgrounds, to join her in the beautiful art of dance. She beautifully danced with her spirit, heart, and mind. Her daughters are currently in dance classes and hope to continue her legacy through the art of dance. We know she is dancing in the arms of the Lord, as she was a strong believer in Jesus Christ.
In lieu of flowers, you may donate to the GoFundMe created on behalf of the Otu-Tei family. All of the proceeds will go towards hospital expenses, funeral costs, and her two little girls. If you would like to donate in honor of Kristy, you may donate via this link: https://gofund.me/8e083064
Kristy’s Service details: Each event is open to the public
Viewing Details
Friday, November 5, 2021 – 4:00PM-7:00PM
Saturday, November 6, 2021 – 8:30 AM
Allen Mortuary
247 N. Broadway
Turlock, CA 95380
Graveside and Burial Details
Saturday, November 6, 2021 – 10:00 AM
Turlock Memorial Park
575 N. Soderquist Road
Turlock, CA 95380
Celebration of Life Service
Saturday, November 6, 2021 – 11:30 AM
Calvary Baptist Church
700 E. Monte Vista Avenue
Turlock, CA 95382
Reception will follow the celebration of life service
RSVP by 11/5 to Gifty Aidoo (209) 484-0951 or Chelsea Adwere-Boatemaa (209) 620-5912
Face masks are required to attend each event.
Condolences(3)-
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george says
November 6, 2021 at 4:59 pmwe will miss you kristy. i will miss you. she was one great person. so loving, and so compassionate. ready easy my friend.
Craig A Trevillyan says
November 2, 2021 at 6:06 pmWhen I heard the news about the passing of Kristy last week, my heart nearly stopped. I am uncle to Kristy by a previous marriage to her father’s sister. When she was born, I lived on the same street as her parents in Hesperia and my son (her cousin) Jason and her were often playmates. Circumstances of life took Kristy in one direction, while I went in another. In spite these circumstances I always kept her in my thoughts and memories. It was a little 4 years ago was able to see her and meet her husband Clement and her children at another somber event in Apple Valley. In spite of the sadness of this event, it was wonderful to see how Kristy had grown up and had become beautiful woman, wife and mother. In spite of years apart, I always thought of Kristy as family member.
To her husband Clement, mother Judy, her children and all the rest of her family: I cannot find the words to express my sorrow at your loss. I pray that God can help ease your pain at this most difficult time. The entire Trevillyan family will be keeping all of you in our prayers. May God Bless.
Gabrielle Forrest says
November 2, 2021 at 2:21 amKristy is one of our dance moms. She had a fire and passion for dance, something she was instilling in her daughters, Ami & Brielle. Shortly after we moved to the new studio, we were chatting about how she used to own a dance studio and how much joy it brought her. How it was a labor of love, which it is, she saw me and understood me. We would talk while her daughters were in class, about life and motherhood and dance. I asked her once if she would ever want to teach again and that I would love for her to teach at the studio when she was ready. When “life slowed down.” She was a bright light. A beautiful, passionate soul with a gentle, loving spirit. She had a special care and love for people, something she showed in her time as a dance teacher, and a Nurse. I will really miss her. It has been my honor and privilege to share my love of dance with her and her girls. I’ve been praying for her daily since she got sick in late September, and everything that came after. I would ask Ami every week she was in class, “how is mom?” And she would tell me “not good.” And I’d tell her that I was praying for her every day. That’s so heavy for her little spirit. I’m sad. I’m sad for her sweet girls and her husband, Clement, and her family. I’m sad that I won’t get to dance with her. I’m sad that her light isn’t here anymore.
This is absolutely heartbreaking.