***************MEMORIAL FUND INFORMATION - UPDATED 8/24/16*************
For those of you asking about how you can help, I have set up an online donation website for the Memorial Fund to benefit Lexi. Here is the link to the website: https://www.youcaring.com/lexi-moffatt-kreiss-623851.
If you prefer to contribute by check, please make it payable to Alexis Moffatt-Kreiss and send it to 3715 Boyd Drive, Edgewater, MD 21037.
Your support, kindness and love mean everything to us during this incredibly taxing time and will continue to as we move forward.
Jeffrey
**************MEMORIAL SERVICE INFORMATION - UPDATED 8/22/16************
For those of you looking for more detail about how Sunday's memorial service is going to flow, here is some additional information. Nothing has changed regarding the time and location.
The service will start at 5:00 pm. Light food and drink will be available starting at 4:45 pm. Jeffrey will give some opening remarks beginning at about 5:30 pm. He will be followed by Kirsten's father, Jim, and by Jeffrey's father Marty. After which, anyone who wishes to share is invited and encouraged to participate. Jeffrey will be leaving at 8 pm and guests are welcome to stay until approximately 8:30 pm when the event will conclude. Dress is business casual.
Jeffrey and family sincerely thank you for all of your loving input over these difficult weeks. We look forward to seeing you on Sunday.
********************MEMORIAL SERVICE INFORMATION*********************
Below please find the details for the Memorial Service being held for Kirsten:
Date: Sunday, August 28th
Time: 5 pm - 8 pm
Place: Selby on the Bay Community Center
3715 1st Avenue, Edgewater, MD 21037
Please RSVP as soon as possible to me, Bryan Malickson, at malibuff93@gmail.com.
Additional information on hotel accommodations and the fund being set up for Lexi will follow shortly. Please continue to check the website for additional details and updates.
Thank you.
Bryan
_____________________________________________________________
It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of Dr. Kirsten Ashley Moffatt; a loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, friend, scientist, and so many other things to so many of us.
Please honor and respect Jeffrey's request for privacy at this time and hold off on reaching out to him directly (phone, text, email, voicemail). Please also refrain from sending flowers, food or other items to the house right now. Your love, thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Once Jeffrey is open to direct communication, you will know.
Details regarding a gathering to honor Kirsten's life will follow in the next few weeks and will be posted here. Additional information will also be shared here about the family's needs and an educational fund to be established for Kirsten's and Jeffrey's daughter Lexi.
Please take advantage of the opportunity afforded by this forum to share thoughts, stories, pictures, etc. about Kirsten if you wish to do so. Thank you for your love, support and patience during this difficult time.
Jeffrey, Jim, Betty, Sid & Jay
Tributes
Leave a tributeAt this 2 year mark of Kirsten's passing, I can only hope that each of you have offset some of the sadness with new forms of love and support and happiness in your lives.
Love,
Tammy
Kirsten was my boss when I worked at Gene Logic. Whenever i would apply for a new job and had to list her as a reference it was always filled with gratitude and pride, knowing I got to work with such a wonderful person. I actually did not even get to know her long, but the 8 months i worked for her (which ended abruptly due to a back injury, very sadly because i loved my job and Kirsten was so great to work for/with) were very rewarding and happy because of Kirsten. She lifted me up and built my confidence with her faith in me and it is an honor for me to know that she was happy with my work. It saddened my heart deeply to learn of her passing which I only today, 9/8/17 learned of. She was SOOOO full of life, energy, compassion, ethics and commitment. She was kind and patient. I recall getting her a little bunny stuffed animal in an "egg car" with a string during Easter and she was just tickled with it. :o) I was glad then and am now that I brought her a moment of joy. She worked so hard it is obvious having achieved her phd and it saddens me that she did not get to stay on this earth longer to reap the benefits of her hard work. I learned of her passing as I am seeking another job as of Feb 2017 which is why I learned of her passing at this time. And through this, my heart has much joy in that she got married and had a daughter! I am SOOOO glad she got to experience this also!!! I am saddened that her daughter will not get to experience her hands on love of such a strong woman. But, i know her family will get her through and she will have much to know about her mamma for life! These photos will be a huge blessing to her and I am so glad they are posted here for her to see whenever she wants. God bless you dear Kirsten. You were a blessing to me and I'm again so very sorry to hear of your passing. Thank you for being such a beautiful person and supervisor. I trust you are in heaven and living as excellent a life you can without being physically on earth with your loved ones. I have lifted up a prayer for those who have lost you and pray they continue to find comfort in knowing they will see her again one day! Thank you for being you. Your friend and employee, Tina xxoo PS I 1000 percent agree with an earlier post: she is never far away, she will ALWAYS be with you. God bless you all, friends and family and I'm so VERY sorry for your loss....
Lisa Shea
Carroll Dr
Kirsten, you will never be forgotten and always be missed.
Love, Bill"
I'm getting my toenails painted purple and twirling in the pacific ocean this weekend!
****
As the Bertrams shared on Sunday, one way we remember Kirsten is in the language and meaning of flowers. Below are the flowers and symbolism of the ones chosen.
In Memory of Kirsten Ashley Moffatt
These flowers have been chosen to represent and celebrate the qualities that embody Kirsten.
- Delphinium: big heartedness, fun, lightness and levity
- Blue Iris: faith, hope and eloquence; the link between heaven and earth
- Native Colorado Wildflowers: harmony and peace
- Aster: elegance, love and patience
- Pink Rose (for Lexi): sweetness, innocence, elegance, grace and pure love
- Lily (Kirsten's favorite): youthful innocence, confidence, birth, hope, magnificence and beauty
Cherish these precious blossoms. May they be a perpetual reminder of Kirsten Ashley's everlasting spirit.
with much love,
All the Bertrams
I am so grateful to have known Kirsten and all her family over many years. It is true we didn't see each other that often and yet when we did we excitedly shared stories and laughs and memories. It is soo very sad to know we won't get to share more new experiences with Kirsten. This loss, especially of a wife and mother and daughter and sister has a forever rawness.
What I know is that she will remain ever in our hearts and presence. We will say her name, probably with tears at the times when we wish that she was still with us to enjoy the moment, and at times when perhaps there is some insight that Kirsten would be the one to have shared and at other times hopefully with some laughter as we remember something fun with Kirsten. I have wonderful memories of Kirsten from 2 years old and periodically till just a few months ago. She was vibrant and determined and friendly and kind and those images will remain with me and I trust continue to be parts of conversations we all will have from now on that will in some way still include, dear Kirsten. She is forever that precious person we all have known.
I have found some fun photos of times with Kirsten and I also can picture phone conversations about when she was preparing for her big run, when she was pursuing her PhD with much determination, and when she and Jeffrey were courting, and then she and Jeffrey were expecting Lexi and loving our time together just last April.
She's forever an important part of a wonderful family and group of friends. My love will continue to surround you each, Jeffrey, Lexi, Jamie, Betty, Sidney and Jay as Kirsten's precious presence always remains a part of all of us.
We are so pleased to have known you Kirsten, if only for a short while. "Just as the sun will set then rise with each and every dawn, the souls of those who lived life well eternally live on..."
As so many other family and friends have shared, Kirsten touched us all in such a unique way - it is these vibrant memories, impressions and contributions she made in each of our lives that will continue to live on!
When I think of Kirsten, I smile... and remember one of my favorite memories:
One summer in the peak of the 80s, the prime of my childhood, I had saved up enough money to buy my own plane ticket to fly (all by myself!!!) to visit my "Colorado Cousies"- read as dream vacation being utterly spoiled by my dearest Aunt Betty & Uncle Jamie. In between the water parks, mini golfing and go-carts, what I remember most about that trip was Kirsten - forever etched in my mind as the epitome of cool, worthy of being on the cover of "Teen" magazine, I was in awe of her feathered hair and curling iron. She would do my hair, makeup and let me dress up in her clothes for the magic show that JJ and I performed on a near daily basis. Bless her, there I was, the tagalong dorky younger cousin and she swooped me right up into her cool girly wings... I loved every minute of it!!!
In many ways I feel a connection to Kirsten as our lives have shared some parallel paths, although we spanned the coasts apart... Both us, academic/career driven in our 20-30s to earn our shared title of "Dr. K Moffatt", came to discover the true joy of life's most important job of becoming a mother - our baby girls born just 6 months apart.
Only a few short months ago, we laughed and danced along side each other holding hands while celebrating our ever growing families at Kali's wedding - it was a whole new level of joy and awe to experience our kids giggling, twirling and playing together, their vibrance for life is exponential.
My heart aches for you Jeffrey, Lexi, Uncle Jamie, Aunt Betty, Sid and Jay --- My love for Kirsten and each of you stands strong! Holding you close and shining light on the positive zest that Kirsten shared with all of us!!!
I followed your adventures on FB, repeatedly enamored by the life you and Kirsten created with Lexi - while too many people miss what surrounds them, the Bay breezes and sunsets and other natural gifts of the place you chose to build your life didn't pass unnoticed. Lexi will grow up carrying the many outstanding qualities of her mommy. And she has a daddy who is raising her to embrace the world around her.
I met Kirsten only briefly but I remember her infectious smile. And perhaps what recurs in my mind the most is that the Jeffrey Kreiss of my childhood is someone who ALWAYS had the biggest smile and the heartiest laugh and the warmest bear hugs. More than literally anyone else I know, I can't imagine you distraught. You'll rediscover that Jeffrey in her memory and in your precious daughter.
Sending lots of love from New York,
Jodi
Most Sincerely, Elicia Marsh (Watts)
Love, terry
In love and friendship, Wendy and Tom Coleman
Words can't express. I'm shocked, heartbroken for you and Lexi, so saddened. She was so passionate about life and love. I will remember her always as my beautiful crazy friend, always laughing, dancing and making the whole room brighter. I hope you and Lexi will embrace the strength of your family and friends to help you get through this. We are here for you in any way.
Love,
Leslie and Eric
My heart aches with this sudden loss yet we are blessed to have an angel like Kirsten looking after us. I am holding you Jeffrey, sweet Lexi, Uncle Jamie and Aunt Betty, Jay and Sid in my heart. Know family is here to love and support you all.
We are so sorry to hear of Kirsten's sudden passing. We have enjoyed getting to know your family over the past couple of years since we moved to Turkey Point.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Lexi and Kirsten's extended family, friends and coworkers during this difficult time.
If you need anything - please do not hesitate to reach out. You are welcome to bring Lexi to play on the beach anytime!
Dianna and Ken Palmer
3664 Bay Dr
My heart goes out to the Moffatt family with love and condolences.
I'll miss her.
may memories give strength and love of your dear ones help you through out the days ahead!!
Moe Imran
Lisa from Carroll Dr
David and Chris Clemans
Fast forward to elementary school, high school and college in Colorado. Kirsten became known as the "Cool Cousin" to her Connecticut clan. Later in November of 2002, I was honored to be invited to Brother James' 60th Birthday celebration at a wonderful Asian restaurant in DC. Kirsten orchestrated the entire event including personalized "scrolled" menus for each of us. The highlight of the evening was not necessarily Jim's Birthday but my being seated next to Kirsten's new beau, handsome Jeffrey - and we hit it off immediately. Prince Charming had finally arrived for my beautiful niece and he was fabulous!
Kirsten was the most thoughtful, creative, compassionate and generous young woman alive. Leave it to Kirsten to train for months to compete in a race to raise funds for Leukemia and Lymphoma (www.teamintraining.org). I admired Kirsten for her dedication and endless hours of training, as both she and I are not "natural born runners" by any means. We are FOREVER Soulmates at the Spa. Any spa - and we're there.
The highlight of 2016 was finally meeting adorable Lexi at Kali and Matt's wedding in April in Atlanta. OMGoodness: she takes right after her mother on the dance floor!
Probably the most meaningful tribute I can share is my gratitude for Kirsten's creating "Aunt's Day" for both her Aunt Bonnie (Betty's sister) and myself. This was a total surprise. Every spring, some time between Mothers' Day and my Birthday, a special package of treats would arrive from Kirsten. What a LOVE! We felt a special bond because she was christened "K.A.M." and I was "C.A.M." - we rhymed :)
Take good care, my sweet Kirsten Ashley. Henry and I and all your cousins hold you close to our hearts. Keep a watchful eye over us and
we will stay connected. Promise: 'til we are together again.
Love you more than I can say,
Moo
There are no words... we are sending you and Lexi love, hope and peace.
May you never forget but, gain the perspective to smile that big smile again.
Xoxo
Aliza & Harrison
We knew her as a glowing part of our Island family, and are
traumatized by her loss. Our hearts are breaking for you and
Lexi. There are a dozen roses floating out into the Bay, carrying
our tears with them. I sit now and look over at the beautiful crape myrtle flowering in your yard, and know that Kirsten's spirit is here.
Sending our love and, and our wish to help in any way.
Nancy & Rick
I'm wishing you moments of peace and tender reflection... And sending you and Lexi my heartfelt sympathy.
With love,
Katy
The afternoon rainstorms here in Colorado in The last week have brought many rainbows and I think of you every time I see one. It's like your smile and spirit is shining over the mountains and flat irons here. You were taken from us too soon but you will forever be in my heart. Thank you for the love and light you brought to me and so many ❤️
All the best,
Scott
- Joel Fink
Sebastien, Marine & Violette
As I started to write this, I was forced to smile when I had a quite fond and wonderful memory of Kirsten...I was having a rather unpleasant day when, as she came into my office, she started enthusiastically singing the Ramones song, I want to be sedated, at the top of her lungs while vehemently jumping up and down dancing in her high-heel shoes (making some crazy Elaine-like dance moves)...needless to say, my day was immediately better, she had me smiling, laughing, and singing along with her in no time! I completely forgot why my day was so unpleasant...
She will be forever missed and never forgotten!
Many thoughts and prayers to you all during this very difficult time.