Kris LOVED bonsai, and took classes on bonsai for many years.  I donated this bonsai bench in her honor at the NC Arboretum.

Here is the restaurant in Mikkeli where we had our celebration of life.

In this photo my friends from the U.S. and one good friend from Sweden are seated.

Kris' celebration of life in Finland.  In this photo our best Finnish friends are seated at this table, including the professor with whom Kris did her sabbatical in Helsinki in 1985.


I was able this past summer to fulfill my promise to Kris to have her ashes transported to Finland for burial at our best Finnish friends' beautiful summer cottage on an island in the lake district.  We had a celebration of life for her at a lovely restaurant in Mikkeli.  The photos I will be posting are from that celebration of life.

I am remembering so many things on the first anniversary of Kris' death.  I am so grateful that we were able to travel to Europe so many times.  If all goes well, I will be traveling with friends to our best Finnish friends' home for a celebration of life in remembrance of Kris this summer.  Friends will gather and we will bury Kris' ashes in a special garden being prepared on an island outside of Mikkeli.  

My deepest sympathy to Mimi on the loss of Kris. Kris and Mimi were kind and wonderful neighbors to my parents in Massachusetts. It always cheered them up to hear what Kris and Mimi were doing,  especially the stories about trips to Finland. 
Her  memory will always be a blessing.

I was a college student in need of a summer job and Kris was a researcher at the University of Pittsburgh in need of a lab assistant. And that was the beginning of my relationship with an incredible person who became a mentor, advisor, advocate and friend. Kris believed in me and that gave me the courage to believe in myself. I imagined the job would entail doing the legwork for Kris’s experiments; she gave me my own project and encouraged me to contribute my own ideas and design my own experiments. I intended to write up the project for my senior physiological psychology class; Kris encouraged me to write and submit an article to a scientific journal. I hoped the on-the-ground lab experience would be enough to get me into a good graduate school; Kris encouraged me to reach higher and apply to a top graduate school, knowing somehow that I would get accepted.
   After overseeing my initiation into a career in science, Kris continued to play a role in almost every major milestone in my life. My first independent vacation was spent at the affordable-on-a-graduate-student budget but nonetheless 5-star Hotel Carlson in Worcester. My hilarious initial attempt to master the intricacies of engaging the clutch in a car with a manual transmission occurred in Kris’s driveway, with her flapping a dishtowel at me like a matador. She introduced me to many fine foods and beverages, including single-malt Scotch, lingonberries, smoked salmon, and steak tartare. She celebrated my wedding, agreed to be a godmother to my oldest daughter, supported me in transitioning away from the lab bench to a new career as a science writer, championed my first book, listened patiently to my challenges as a parent, comforted me after my husband ‘s tragic death, convinced me that I could move on
  I will deeply miss Kris’s wit, candor, kindness, and wisdom. I am grateful for everything she gave to me and taught me and most of all, for the privilege of knowing her.

"I am not gone.
I will return to you
in every raindrop, every ray of sunlight,
and in every breath of wind.
And every evening, in the
shadows growing longer
I will greet you with a goodnight kiss."
 - To Mimi, hopefully comforting you in your great sorrow.

In July 1995 I met my second cousin Kristin for the first time, after writing long letter through email, facsimile and old-fashioned letters for a year or so. I was waiting for her with my heart open on the palm of my hand. And she came to my open heart and stayed there, and she will.  On behalf of all Kristin's cousins on her father's side here in Finland I wish Mimi will be able to  grow stronger despite the great sorrow that she now has to face.

Condolences to Mimi and sharing loving memories of Kristin forever.
Elina Anttila and family
Jarmo and Päivi Ojaniemi and family
All the rest of Kristin's cousins on her father's side in Finland and Sweden with their families.



I first met Kris on a sailboat in Blue Harbor,  Maine.  We were in a wooden boat sailing class.  We ate and drank and laughed BUT didn't sail. Nothing but doldrums for a week.  But amazing saunas, phosphorescent swims and wonderful memories.  We also shared annual weekends on Cape Cod with Kris and her sweet boo, Mimi. for many years. Skinnydipping, eating great food,  and Opus and Freud visits.  Lovely woman and lovely memories.  I will miss you, Kristin Carlson.

We’re so sorry to learn of Kris’ passing. We knew Kris and Mimi during their time in SW Florida and time spent together on a visit to Asheville. Good friends and lovely people. You will be missed.

As a child I remember Kris an Mimi as they were great neighbors and friends of the family. She would share her love for animals with me. I remember the cute lab mice and rats she would let me have as pets growing up. Thank you for all the found memories and being kind as you were to us kids.

Christine 

Kris and I had many wonderful conversations at our annual "Bag Sisters" weekends.  Kris & Mimi always made chili for our arrival on Friday, what a terrific welcome!  I have so many memories of Kris at those reunions.  Rest in peace.

Sending many warm and wonderful thoughts of great weekends with the “sorority sisters” xoxo

I was very sad to hear of Kris’s passing. I have thought of her and Mimi often over the years especially about the times when a group of us would travel to the Cape each Columbus Day weekend. I always looked forward to talking with Kris about politics or what we were reading in the New York Times that weekend, about life in general or anything else that popped up in our conversation. I especially remember one Sunday morning after reading an article on Edward Hopper that mentioned he had a house in Truro. The very town we were staying in! Always full of adventure, Kris, Mimi and I jumped in the car to find his house with only the newspaper article as a clue. And....we found it!! Kris was quite the detective. Reminiscing about that time in December with her was the last time I heard from Kris...... It is a great  memory I will cherish forever from a friend that I will miss dearly. ❤️❤️

Today, is a very sad day for me to hear of Kris's passing.  I met Kris when I took a position at the Univ. of Massachusetts Medical School in Worcester.  She immediately became a friend who along with Mimi became my new family in Worcester.  We had so many great meals together something they both enjoyed and holidays to Provincetown.  On a holiday,  Kris introduced me to the Martini, my favourite to this day.  She a was a warm and caring person who will be missed, especially by me.  My deepest sympathy to Mimi at this dark time.  

I treasure Kris’ sincerity, humor, and political acuity. It has been an honor to enjoy some heartfelt laughs, some meals, and even a little exercise together at pulmonary rehab. I am a better person for having known her. Sincere condolences to Mimi. 

OBITUARIO

Kristin "Kris" Rowe Carlson

31 julio, 1940 – 7 febrero, 2021

Garrett Funeral Home

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