Kristin M. Libby

Kristin, 34, originally of Avon, CT and recently of Eastham, MA, received her angel wings peacefully on December 13, 2018 at Mass General Hospital, Boston, surrounded by her family. Kristin, beautiful and in the prime of her life, tragically passed away from Interstitial Lung Disease/Pulmonary Fibrosis, most likely caused by an underlying autoimmune disease.

Kristin was born the second of 4 children in Salem, VA. At the age of 3, her family moved to Avon, CT, where she attended public schools and made many friends. As a girl, Kristin enjoyed gymnastics, swimming, playing soccer, Girl Scouts, and camping and vacationing with her family. After high school, Kristin attended University of Connecticut, where she graduated with a B.S. in Dietetics. She also spent time at University of St. Joseph, working on her master’s degree.

Unfairly, the second half of her life Kristin was plagued by health problems. She developed several autoimmune diseases, including chronic psoriasis, Cushing’s disease, Type 1 diabetes, chronic pancreatitis, Interstitial Lung Disease/Pulmonary Fibrosis, and was thought to have other yet unidentified autoimmune disorders. She was treated in the hospital many times. Despite her illnesses, she remained positive and hopeful for a bright future.

As a result of her health interruptions, Kris veered from the nutrition path she graduated from college and became a licensed Claim Adjustor working for The Hartford in Windsor, CT. She truly loved her job and looked forward to working remotely every day she was able. Her deep knowledge of The Hartford’s claim process and compassionate nature with insureds made her the perfect fit for her role and gave her great satisfaction. Kristin’s management team and co-workers at this great company were second to none, always supporting her.

Kristin was kind, generous, funny, and social. She loved spending time with her family and friends. She maintained close friendships with two of her girlfriends, Stacy and Dede, her entire life. Her pets gave her great joy. Kris also loved being around and playing with children, especially her niece Elsa and nephew James, whom she adored. She had significant romantic relationships. This past spring she met Pete, who she fell in love with and was a perfect match. Their wonderful future awaited.

Kristin’s parents feel very fortunate to have had her living with them in Eastham the past 18 months of her life. They grew much closer to her and were able to help with her escalating health issues. Even though Mom could ‘drive her crazy’ with mom reminders and worry, the two loved each other unconditionally, and were each other’s biggest supporters. They texted multiple times per day, shared celebrity gossip, attended movies together, and with Dad, had many meaningful discussions.

Kristin enjoyed many activities, including shopping for and cooking healthy meals, going to CT and Cape Cod beaches, reading autobiographies and celebrity magazines, watching Dateline and other crime solving and forensic TV shows, giving back to others (even very simply, by often just giving a compliment to strangers), and biking when she was able. This year she was into doing latch hook rugs, of which she created several beautiful ones for family. She also loved many forms of music, including listening to Mendel's Hallelujah chorus at West Avon Congregational Church on Easter.

Kris was particularly close with her maternal grandfather, whom she shared the same personality type – generous, smart, and funny. We believe he personally welcomed her into heaven by the hand.

Our family would like to thank with love and gratitude the many medical professionals who spent so much time and helped Kristin significantly over the past few years. Especially of note in CT, Dr. Ingrid Grafals and Dr. David Domenichini. On Cape Cod, Dr. Anna Manatis, for her continuous above and beyond care. And in Boston, the many, second-to-none excellent Dr.’s, nurses, and staff in the Medical ICU at Mass General Hospital, where Kristin spent the last two months of her life.

Kris is and will continue to be deeply, deeply missed by her family and friends, more than can be expressed. She was so adored and loved.

Kristin is survived by her loving parents, Brian and Linda Libby of Eastham, MA; sister Kim Libby and her husband Cormac Murphy, niece Elsa Murphy, nephew James Murphy, all of Swansea, MA; brother Kevin Libby and his girlfriend Kamya Mehta of New York City; brother Ken Libby and his girlfriend Heather McBride of Bristol, CT, boyfriend Peter Beals of Wellfleet, MA, beloved dog Taz, cat Zoey, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. She was predeceased by beloved grandparents Don and Gladys Grudt of Port Charlotte, FL, and Norb and Dorothy Libby of Mesa, AZ.

A Memorial/Celebration of Life service for Kristin will be held on Saturday, January 19, at 11:00 a.m. at Chapel in the Pines in Eastham, MA. Light refreshments will be served. All are welcome.

In lieu of flowers, Kristin's family asks that any contributions made be to the American Lung Association at the following link:

https://action.lung.org/site/TR/Events/General?pg=fund&fr_id=1080&pxfid=148783