Samantha Shakti Matthews, 51 of Soquel, Ca. passed away at her home on December 15, 2025. She was a cherished mother, partner and friend and her presence will be deeply missed.

She was born August 7, 1974 in Tyler Texas. She was in a devoted relationship with John Grady for almost 10 years. They did a beautiful hand fasting ceremony every year to recommit to one another. It was a very special relationship. She had two beautiful sons, Kiran Brown and Lakota Brown (with ex husband Bradley Brown) and John’s boys Colton Grady and Connor Grady that she deeply loved.

She graduated in the class of 1993 from Robert E. Lee high school school in Tyler Texas. She went on to college with a full ride scholarship in swimming, to Hendricks College where she studied philosophy and religion class of 1997. She received an MA certification in philosophy, Communication and nutrition from University of Malta College, class of 1997.

She studied humanitarian aid at the Peace Corps of the Dominican Republic class of 2000. This experienced help her become fluent in Spanish a trait she never lost. Presently she just completed a course at the Harvard extension school in lifestyles and wellness coaching. She was a yoga based Holistic health coach.

In 2012, she moved to Rishikesh India for a year to study with her teacher Pujya Swamiji and found her passion for helping people heal their bodies through yoga. The teachers motto was “In service of God and humanity.” Which she definitely embodied. She was a certified Anusara teacher. She taught yoga at her home studio at the Yoga Shala at Big Basin Vineyards from 2007 to 2017 where she had weekly classes, teacher trainings and workshops.

For years she led Yoga Retreat’s around the world and had a very successful one on one practice with some of the most influential people in the Bay Area. She shared her yoga on Grokker since 2012 to present. She was continually educating herself on how to heal people. She did physical therapy and massage therapy and was known to be one of the best in these modalities. She was trained in special therapy for Parkinson’s disease and taught balance classes to seniors where she would stay after class to help those that would like to learn how to get up off the floor in case they fell. Those students raved about her helping them have and keep their independence.

She founded The Harbor Health Center with Dr. John Grady in 2016 to present, where she had the opportunity to use her healing skills to help people look and feel their best. she considered Rishikesh India, her heart home and wanted to retire with John in Malta.

She loved comedy and said in another life, she wished she could’ve been a comedian. She led her life with her whole heart, connecting with other hearts. Her compassion and vibrant spirit made her shine so brightly. She was deeply compassionate, generous and loving to a fault. Those who were blessed by her light will never forget her.