Kristina Marie Elizabeth Love

KRISTINA MARIE ELIZABETH LOVE was born November 25, 1979, and passed away August 22, 2011, after a life-long battle with cystic fibrosis. She was an inspiration to everyone who was greeted by her radiant smile, revealing a courageous spirit who faced her daily struggles against CF as if it were just another day at the office. Kristina is deeply missed by her mother Janet Piper, father and step-mother Alan and Laurel Love, brother and sister-in law Joseph and Heather Love, step-brother Eric Wensel, grandmother Amy Ruff, grandfather Herbert Love, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins and friends. In her memory, contributions may be made to the Kristina Marie Love Memorial Fund, established at Travis Credit Union, P.O. Box 2069, Vacaville, CA 95696.

KRISTINA'S STORY

Anyone who ever met Kristina Marie Elizabeth Love was instantly captivated by her beautiful, open smile, the bright reflection of a kind and loving heart. Despite her life-long struggle with cystic fibrosis, Kristina was someone who was always making certain that those around her were comfortable and cared for. She was an inspiration to those whose lives she touched even for a moment.

Kristina was born on November 25, 1979, at Eglin AFB in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, the first child of Alan and Janet. She was raised in Roseville, California, surrounded by her large extended family, including her brothers, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Family was the most important thing in Kristina’s life and she enjoyed family holidays, reunions, birthdays, weekend get-togethers – any reason to spend time with lots of family.

Kristina was a protective older sister to Joseph, and the two were inseparable as youngsters. She was Joe’s “Sissy.” Whenever the two argued, Joe remembers, they had to sit on the couch and hug each other until they made up. When Kristina was 10 years old, her step-mother Laurel and her older step-brother Eric became new members of her ever-growing extended family, and she welcomed them with open arms.

As someone who reveled in the sheer joy of living, Kristina was always enthusiastic about new adventures. Even though doing her treatments to maintain her health was always the first order of the day, Kristina was always ready to have fun and enjoy life. She loved learning to jump rope; she tried out for volley ball in high school, learned to roller skate and ride a bicycle. In quiet times, she loved to play cards, board games, and Nintendo® Super Mario Brothers. She was funny and silly and sweet, and she had a zest for life that could be matched by few.

Kristina attended St. Rose School from kindergarten through eighth grade, Loretto High School in her freshman year, and was in the first graduating class of Woodcreek High School in 1997. Throughout her school years, her attendance was continually interrupted by numerous visits to the hospital to treat her CF symptoms; but in spite of so many absences, she managed to pass every class and graduate on time with her classmates.

There was one thing that all of Kristina's friends knew and will always remember, and that is that she could talk to anybody and make friends easily. Kristina was very accepting of others, knowing from her own experiences that people don’t always see beyond appearances and physical frailties. When Kristina made friends, she made true and lasting friendships. Her best friend in life was and always will be Shannon, who was like a sister to Kristina. Later in life, Kristina also formed a deep friendship with Leah, a fellow CF sufferer. She was also befriended by many nurses, respiratory therapists, nutritionists, social workers and other hospital care providers, most of whom watched her grow up between the many hospital visits she spent with them.

Kristina enjoyed spending time cooking, helping family and friends prepare meals and trying out new recipes. She enjoyed cooking programs on television, always planning the next dish she wanted to try. She was also very gifted at improvising clever and delicious dishes from leftovers and pantry items; and she took pride in her efforts to present a delicious and inviting meal.

Because of her demanding health regimen, it wasn't easy for Kristina to travel for extended times away from home while growing up, but in 1995 she was granted a wish through the Make-A-Wish® Foundation to visit Eglin Air Force Base, where she was born. The sponsor of the trip also provided accommodations to visit Disney World and other exciting locations while she was in Florida. Then, In 2003 Kristina received the miraculous gift of a double-lung transplant at UC San Francisco Medical Center. For the first time in her life, she could breathe freely, and this gave her a renewed energy and desire to enjoy new experiences. Six months after her transplant, she traveled on her own to visit her aunt and uncle in Arizona and achieved a long-term dream of visiting the Grand Canyon.

Kristina was a lover of animals and she cherished her pets. Her first pet was Heidi, a beautiful gray and white tabby, who was a loyal friend for 13 years. Heidi loved sitting next to Kristina when she was doing her respiratory therapy. Kristina's family of animal companions was rounded out by her other beloved cats Bonnie and Clyde, Sweet Charity, Thor and Rose. Whenever she met a neighbor or even a stranger walking a dog, she would stop to make its acquaintance and then go on her way knowing she had found a new four-legged friend.

Kristina’s brave and indomitable spirit was due to her unwavering faith in God, and that faith sustained her through years of suffering and pain. When she was offered the possibility of a second transplant, she bravely declined it, knowing the consequences, but feeling that it would not improve the quality of her life because of all her other health complications. Kristina passed away on Monday, August 22, 2011, at the UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento , California . A funeral mass was held at St. Rose of Lima Church on Friday, August 26, 2011. Kristina is survived by her mother, Janet Piper, father Alan Love, step-mother Laurel Love, brother and sister-in law Joseph and Heather Love, and step-brother Eric Wensel. In addition she is survived by her grandmother, Amy Ruff, grandfather, Herbert Love; aunts and uncles, Jim, Mimi, John, Mary, Tom, Charlie, Larry, Bob, Rick, Brian, Chris, Denise, Marian, Robert, and Martha; several cousins and a soon-to-arrive baby nephew.