Kalyn Elizabeth Peterson

Kalyn was born January 25, 1989 in Colorado Springs, Colorado to Allen and Kelly Peterson and was the proud sister of Taylor Peterson. Her mission was to help others less fortunate and experience life to its fullest―as she did so profoundly in her 21 years.

Filled with unstoppable enthusiasm and drive, Kalyn began volunteering her time at Memorial Hospital as a young teenager. She was particularly drawn to Memorial Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, where she realized she had the ability to affect the lives of others. She also worked as an intern at Saint Anthony’s Hospital in Denver.

Kalyn was a student at Metro State College, where she pursued her dream of becoming a social worker, while continuing her philanthropic work. She also attended Wyoming State University. Well traveled, Kalyn most recently spent the summer in Chile, embracing the culture and forever touching so many lives and hearts.

A leader in her community who always gave of herself and her talents, Kalyn received scores of accolades, awards and special acknowledgments. Among these, she was a Serteen president at Lewis Palmer High School and received national recognition for her continued service to her community. She was a member of the National Honor Society, The Mayor’s 100 Teens, The El Pomar Youth in Community Service team. She was a Student Peer Counselor and was active in several other various organizations.

But these achievements are not what define Kalyn’s character. Her unforgettable bright smiles, compassion, love for life, family and friends are the fabric of her being. Kalyn’s kind heart will be missed by all who had the honor of knowing her.

Kalyn is survived by her brother Taylor, parents Allen and Kelly Peterson, aunt Kathy and cousin John, aunt Libby and uncle Bob, and aunt Peggy, all of the Monument, Colorado area; as well as loving family from Missouri, Arizona, California, Colorado, Virginia, Illinois, Chile and countless friends and loved ones, too numerous to mention. She is preceded in death by her grandparents Jim and Virginia Reedy of Monument, Colorado and Kay Peterson of Fountain Hills, Arizona.

The family expresses their heartfelt gratitude to the professionals at Memorial Hospital North for their empathetic care and support.

A celebration of Kalyn’s life will be held at the Pulpit Rock Church Event Center, 301 Austin Bluffs Pkwy., Colorado Springs, CO, 80918 on Wednesday, November 24, 2010 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorial contributions in Kalyn’s honor be made to the Memorial Account for Kalyn E. Peterson fund at ENT Federal Credit Union, P.O. Box 15819, Colorado Springs, CO 80935. Please leave your name or organization with the banking representative so that the family may recognize your contribution.