Krista Michelle Fernandez

Fernandez, Krista Michelle, died unexpectedly and peacefully at her home July 9, 2022, age 33. Krista is survived by her loving partner Jeremy Carpenter, her parents Denise Lauzon McGrath (Daniel) and Stephen V. Fernandez (Carol), siblings Dean Aliberti (Stefani), Elise Aliberti (Nick Bush) and Nicolas Aliberti (Sierra Scott), nieces and nephews Samantha, Dominic, Louise, Aveline and Leone, and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Krista was born December 27, 1988. “I wish I had a different birth date,” she would later say, joining the protests of her sister Elise (Jan. 1) and Denise (Jan. 2). Shared birthday cakes and celebrations, along with dual-purpose gifts, were often the norm throughout her life and were accepted by her with grace.

Denise and Steve welcomed Krista while living in Coral Springs, Fla. where Steve was stationed with the FBI. Siblings Dean (then 14), Lise (12) and Nick (5) were thrilled with their new little sister. Krista was baptized at the local Catholic church, with Steve’s sister Jeanne Fernandez and cousin Gregory Morse as godparents.

In 1989, a career change for Steve brought the family to Steve’s hometown of St. Louis. The family settled into a home in Ballwin, Mo. There, Krista was surrounded with attention from her local family members, grandparents Victor and Dorothy Fernandez, and Steve’s sisters, Carol, Jeanne and Patti, plus occasional visits from Denise’s 14 siblings from Canada and Chicago.

Growing up, Krista attended Wren Hollow Elementary School, Parkway South Middle School, and Parkway South High School. Activities included violin, CYC volleyball and color guard at Parkway South. Krista formed lifelong relationships with classmates and teachers, many of whom stayed connected with her throughout her life via social media.

It was during grade school that her stepfather, Dan, entered her life, and with him another big family, including the McGrath, Paunovich, Backus and Reimer clans. Krista particularly enjoyed the annual family softball games.

After high school – spirited by her love of animals and a summer course in veterinary medicine at the University of Prince Edward Island in Canada – Krista enrolled at Sanford-Brown College in St. Louis where she earned a diploma in Veterinary Technology. She soon had jobs working at vet clinics in the St. Louis area.

At a 2010 birthday party given for Krista by friends, she met Jeremy Carpenter. They shared a love of music, trivia nights and pets. Krista soon moved in with Jeremy, and their relationship flourished. Together they bought a home in University City in 2013.

Not one to remain content, Krista started taking online courses at Lindenwood University. In 2019 Krista earned a bachelor’s degree in Business. Soon after, Krista would begin pursuing a master’s degree in Non-profit Administration.

Her clinical background and people skills brought her to a job at Hanger Clinic in Olivette, Mo. Hanger is a national company that specializes in prosthetics and orthotics. There Krista managed the front desk, greeting and getting to know the patients. The job was more than a paycheck for Krista. At Hanger she was part of a greater mission that suited her perfectly: making people’s lives better. “The patients loved her,” her supervisor recently shared.

In her downtime Krista enjoyed spending time at home with her pets, a dog named Leonard and cat named Waldorf, attending Jeremy’s music performances and getting competitive at trivia nights. She joined Jeremy for services at One Family Church. She taught herself to crochet and made gifts of her beautiful blankets, scarves and throws. She loved seeing her crochet works being used – like a warm hug from the maker herself.

Krista was kind, patient, caring, thoughtful and creative. She was someone who saw the good in everyone. Her smile lit up a room, her chuckle was something unique to her. She would do anything for anyone. She formed lasting relationships with the many people who touched her life.

In lieu of flowers, Jeremy and Krista’s families encourage donations in the name of Krista to CHAMP Assistance Dogs, a nonprofit organization based in St. Louis that utilizes the love and healing power of dogs to improve the lives of people in our community. https://www.champdogs.org/donate/general-donation

A celebration of Krista’s life will take place in St. Louis on Saturday, August 13. Details to come via Jeremy’s and her families’ Facebook pages.