Obituary of Kristen Elizabeth Kearney
Kristen Elizabeth (Lund) Kearney of Boulder, Colorado began a new journey on November 25, 2018. As a mother, wife, daughter, sister, aunt and friend, Kristy was caring, humble and kind. An open book of love and unconditional acceptance, Kristy’s life was defined by the way she was a consistent, warm, kind and generous presence in the lives of all who knew her. She made others feel good by being around her.
Kristy’s greatest joy and her most treasured role was as mother to her two amazing sons, Jake and Ben. She was the best mom! She was an ever-present support, keeping score at baseball games, making delicious made-to-order sack lunches every single day without fail for 16 years, and finding ways to make each day fun for her boys. As a mother, Kristy embodied so many wonderful qualities. She was steady, gentle, sensitive and guided by a strong sense of what was right. She made her whole family feel safe, loved and taken care of. As a woman, she was fiercely independent, quick witted and courageous, while also being the quiet observer, the supporter and the soft shoulder.
Growing up in Prescott Arizona, she was a member of the National Honor Society in high school and played tennis and badminton. She owned her own janitorial business at age 13 and often she would hold multiple jobs at a time.
Kristy graduated with a degree in Business from Principia College in Illinois in 1991. While there she played collegiate tennis and was House President. Most importantly she met a very special someone—her husband of 25 years, Neil Kearney. Neil and Kristy shared a common belief in the goodness of people, and shared a love expressed in the small, simple things of everyday life.
After relocating to Boulder, Colorado 27 years ago to be closer to Neil, Kristy quickly became part of the community by joining Paine Webber. Later, she managed the tennis shop at Boulder Country Club and recently worked at Celestial Seasonings where she was adopted as a second mother by the young women in the shop. Working with people gave her great joy. Kristy devoted many years to Kearney Realty as office manager working closely with Neil and her late in-laws. She was whip-smart and managed everything with ease. One of Kristy’s many gifts in the workplace was to help people feel comfortable and welcomed.
In every situation she felt most comfortable in serving others, making others feel loved, making them happy. Kristy gave generously of her time and talents. She volunteered at the kids schools, was an active and beloved member of the First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boulder where she was Head Usher and Clerk. A devoted member of PEO, she served as President and Treasurer and was most recently on the State Membership Committee. Kristy moved things forward quietly doing unsung work with supreme unselfishness, caring and a smile.
Kristy expressed joy in her life through her favorite activities: lunch with friends, bunco with the girls, cooking, and social walks with her beloved dogs over the years. Kristy was fond of hearts and the color purple. She loved watching her boys (all of them!) play baseball, basketball, tennis and soccer and rejoiced in all of their accomplishments.
To her family she was an anchor, a role model and a beloved and important aunt. She remembered the details, was generous with cheerful news and was truly interested. A good friend and a great listener, it was no surprise that she was adored. This “bright light” will be dearly missed by her family, friends, co-workers and her community.
Kristy was born on July 24th, 1969 in Long Beach, California. She is survived by her beloved husband, Neil and her sons, Jacob and Benjamin, parents, David and Gail (Robinson) Lund, sisters, Jennifer Taylor (Michael), Katherine Rucker (Kal) and Jessica Charlston (Reid) and their extended families, her sisters-in-law, Melinda Kearney, Allyson Evans, Stephanie Hill, Lesley Rockwood (Wade) and their families. In Kristy’s memory, donations can be made to First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boulder, PEO (education for women) and Imagine! Please see www.KristyKearney.com/donations for details. Kristy will be remembered and honored on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 11:00 am at the Gatehouse at Lionsgate Event Center, 1055 S 112 St., Lafayette, CO 80026.
