You could say that Thia McKann had as many "lives" as she had hairstyles and hair colors, as vibrant as her spirit itself. Alongside her husband, Chris McKann, they were known as Aunt Fajita and Uncle Taco by her nieces and nephews.

When she graduated from Spring Woods High School in 1973, she appeared in the yearbook as Abigail Adams, Heather Hendrix, Zelda Zimmerman and as herself, Cynthia Ann Greer. So the story goes that when she finished high school, which was a miracle in itself, she was on a quest to appear four times in the yearbook. She changed outfits and stepped in for the others — and the organizers didn't notice. Mission accomplished.

Thia was a colon therapist to some, a tea master and the zestful owner/founder of The Path of Tea to others, a protective mother of two, one who had the boldness to write a letter to the commanding officer of her son, Chaz Mahon, who was in active duty, insisting that he not be sent to combat.

Needless to say, Thia marched to the rhythm of her own beat, often journeying into different realms of living freely, mused by a desire to learn, love and help those in need — and had a habit of rousing others to follow in her adventures, whether spiritual, whimsical or deeply meaningful in nature.

In her youth, Thia won a beauty contest. As a child, she was an expert at unwrapping and re-wrapping Christmas gifts without getting caught. Her laugh was contagious, her sense of humor, wicked, her hugs, comforting.

She was a friend and a confidant to many, and like Rome, many roads led to this El Paso-native, who passed away peacefully at Memorial Hermann Memorial Medical Center on Christmas Day, surrounded by her family singing "You Are My Sunshine" and "Jesus Loves Me" with "you" submitted for "me." Thia had just celebrated her 58th birthday the week prior.

Above all, Thia was a connector, evident by the more than 300 family members, friends and colleagues who honored her at Unity of Houston Thursday afternoon. In lieu of the customary black attire for these types of occasions, guests were requested to wear bright clothes that echoed her effervescence.

It was a memorial service where those present were surprised at how everyone was connected through Thia's métier, not unlike a typical day at her Japanese-style tea shop, like a Cheers bar without the beer.

While photos of Thia, from childhood into maturity, screened above the main sanctuary, accompanied by a selection of her favorite songs, Rosa Glenn Reilly, director/founder of the Spectrum Center, officiated the gathering alongside remarks by those close to Thia, including her youngest sister, Donna Gurney.

"She taught me to give more than to receive, and to strive for people to see God when they look at your eyes," Gurney said, confessing she still had a little sibling crush on Thia.

"God often takes blessed people because they've fulfilled their life purpose early."

Chaz Mahon mourned that he wouldn't have the opportunity to dance with his mother to "Baby Blue" in his upcoming wedding to Shawna Laird. Thia's middle sister, Jadie Thompson, said that she was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support from calls, cards, flowers and messages on Facebook. Reilly offered humorous relief when she described a colonic therapy appointment with Thia as something akin to a melange between a confessional, political caucus, comedy club and sacrament.

"Like the epitome of the tea ceremony, Thia lived in the moment," Chris McKann commented while illustrating Thia's uncanny ability to persuade others to follow her lead. "She often said that things are not as they appear, that you have to look with your heart, not with your eyes.

"I feel Thia wants me to say something in her behalf: Don't look for her in the past; she isn't there. Don't look for her in the future, her physical body is no longer here. Be with her, right here, right now."

The service concluded with a reception during which guests were encouraged to leave video messages for Thia and her family.

Thia was preceded in death by her daughter, Misty Mahon Purcell, who was killed in a drunk driving accident 12 years ago, and her great nephew, Ayden Havard. She's also survived by her parents Dorothy and Charles Greer, step children Selina and Jeff Britain, in-laws Tim Thompson and Gary Gurney and grandchildren Cameron Purcell and Quinn Britain.

And her two charming cats, aptly named Masala and Chai.

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The family requests that in lieu of traditional remembrances donations are made to Mothers Against Drunk Drivers in Thia McKann's name in honor of her daughter, Misty Mahon Purcell.