Raven Dushay
February 5, 1960 — February 15, 2025

Just before midnight on February 15, 2025 our dearest Raven gained her wings and took flight to the spirit world.

Raven was a deeply compassionate and caring soul with a remarkable life.

She started her life as Winnie Laure Weinshank in the City of Lost Angels.

She had a rough family life with a dad who was a gambler, two brothers, and a mom who was kind and compassionate.

The family moved frequently and Raven found her friends and solace in the trees in the backyards. She also found strength in her jiu-jitsu class and at the age of 12 she left home to make her own way. By then she was a black belt known as “Baby Black Belt.” She lived on the streets and met many interesting characters.

At a young age she gathered her only belongings: overalls, boots, a backpack, and a flute. A German shepherd named Freedom adopted her and they hitchhiked around California. Like the Joni Mitchell song, “and we’ve got to get ourselves back to the garden,” she set her goal on getting out of the city and moving to the country to create a self-sufficient lifestyle. She joined the seasonal workers moving from community to community picking apples, and planting and trimming trees. On her way to a Rainbow Gathering she ended up in Garberville, where she met Paul Zucchini under a bridge. He told her about a community called Whale Gulch on the rugged Lost Coast of Mendocino County. At the age of 18 she finally made her way to a trade fair in Whale Gulch where she joined the group of women dancing in the meadow and they became lifelong friends.

For her 19th birthday she was gifted an EMT course by Nancy Peregrine. This started her on the path to nursing school and a long career in nursing where she touched the lives of many. She worked in the emergency department at St. Joseph Hospital, Redwood Memorial Hospital, and Mad River Hospital. She also provided post anesthesia care, and even completed medical missions to Haiti. With a special ability to connect with people on a deep level, Raven was never afraid to help the most vulnerable and down and out. She was a survivor of abuse and was a fierce advocate for those who were suffering and in need of a helping hand. Her twinkling eyes and effervescent smile would light up the darkest corners of our world.

Raven would teach you self defense, buy you your first vibrator, deliver your baby, tend to your wounds, rescue you, teach you CPR, and be by your side in life and death.

A great adventurer, a mischief maker, an inspiration starter. A mother, a friend and sister to many, a yenta, a musician, an artist, and a bright light. Her love ripples far and wide. Raven leaves behind a large community of friends and family. We will hold her in our hearts forever.

How Raven got her name:

”I was laying down next to the Eel River and there were these Ravens dancing in the sky. I just felt like I was flying with them and was inside their bodies looking down at the river through their eyes. Later that week I was volunteering for an environmental protection group that was protecting the whales in Port Townsend. I walked onto the boat and a gorgeous woman captain says “Raven?” I said, yes. She goes, yeah, I thought so. You look like a fair Raven spirit to me.“

Raven’s Celebration of Life — All are welcome

Sunday, June 8, 2025
3 p.m. - evening

Dinner main course provided (Mexican food). Please bring a side dish, salad, or dessert to share.

Bring your own beverage of choice (alcohol is allowed). Water, coffee and tea provided.

Please bring an instrument if you wish.

Location:

River Lodge
1800 Riverwalk Dr, Fortuna, CA 95540

Please R.S.V.P. and let us know if you would like to volunteer to help with the event. R.S.V.P. here.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Raven Dushay’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.