Kristin J. Conrad

Kristin Jo Conrad, 52, formerly of Columbus, OH, passed away on Tuesday, June 28, at the Laurel Center in Hamburg, PA. Diagnosed in November 2018 with Frontotemperol Degeneration, Kristin waged a valiant battle against this horrible disease with the help of her loving family, friends and home healthcare aides. Her family wishes to especially thank Kristin’s most recent home caregiver, Susan Madar, who took care of her for the past 16 months and without whom we could not have coped. Susan lovingly saw Kristin through each day, helping her dress, seeing to her needs, reading mystery novels to her, enjoying reruns of Friends, NCIS, Chicago PD, watching Star Wars and Harry Potter movies with her on her big screen TV, bringing her foods she enjoyed (grapes, Mounds mini bars) and so much more. There are not enough words to thank her for her kind and caring service to Kristin.

Born in Pottstown, PA, Kristin was the daughter of Gary L. & Patricia Ann (Frain) Conrad. She was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Robert S. and Evelyn M. (Schroeder) Frain and her paternal grandparents, Grant G. and Margaret J. (Johnson) Conrad. Kristin lived in Gilbertsville, PA, and Cleveland, OH, as a child, attending one year of school at Lomond Elementary School in Shaker Heights, OH, but attending the rest of her elementary and junior high school years in the Boyertown Area School District. Moving to Dublin, OH, with her parents in 1984, Kristin graduated from Dublin High School in 1987.

Kristin enrolled in The Ohio State University and earned a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Journalism in 1993. While at OSU, Kristin pledged the Chi Omega Sorority, Zeta Alpha chapter, developing lifelong friendships with her many sorority sisters. As an only child, Kristin loved finally having “sisters” with whom she could share her life. Kristin was an enthusiastic participant in sorority activities and volunteer opportunities and was voted Most Social by her Chi O Sisters for her enthusiastic personality and ready smile for everyone. While at OSU, Kristin also became a huge Buckeye Football fan, enjoying game day with her many friends, often at the Varsity Club, a popular place on campus to cheer on her team. Her love of all things Buckeye continued for the rest of her life and gave her many hours of enjoyment attending weekend games at the “Shoe” with her friends. In later years, Kristin wrote a blog for Sports Divas, Inc., an online weekly column that analyzed Big Ten Football League teams (including her Buckeyes), explaining what to expect each week of the season in a style geared to encouraging more women to watch and understand the game. A highlight of her life was meeting Buckeye Coach Urban Meyer in 2016 when she attended Female Football Camp held at OSU, which gave attendees the opportunity to learn more about football with the current team members and coaches and even getting the opportunity to “suit-up” for a practice session in OSU football pads and helmets.

Kristin began her career with NBC affiliate WWHO TV in Columbus, OH, where she interned and went on to become the producer of the 10 p.m. news program. After relocating to NYC, Kristin began working in public relations for Ruder-Finn/Planned Television Arts as a public relations account executive. Her PR work in NYC led her to many exciting assignments publicizing books and arranging PR tours for celebrities and authors including Naomi, Wynonna and Ashley Judd, Richard Simmons, Sophia Loren, Judy Blume, Sir Richard Branson, Nicholas Sparks, Bobby Flay, Dr. Robert Atkins, Suzanne Sommers and many more.

Moving to the Chicago division of Ruder Finn in 2001, Kristin was offered a PR position with Rosebud Restaurants in Chicago, overseeing their advertising and promotions and serving as the spokesman for the chain. Eventually returning to PA, Kristin continued her PR and marketing career at CSI Commerce and CBS Radio/WHPT AM/the Big Talker, where she also recorded a few voiceover commercials for on the air advertising. In 2012, Kristin took a position with Formula Public Relations in Los Angeles, where she was a Director. She moved to Manhattan Beach, CA, which she declared as her favorite place to live. Kristin was never without a beautiful golden tan, even in the middle of winter!

Kristin’s love of fashion (she was always ahead of the trends and wowed everyone with her style) led her to a career change into retail sales including for fashion designer Tory Burch, at her flagship store in King of Prussia and at Anthropolgie and Zara. She also worked for Crate and Barrel and West Elm. She loved helping people choose clothes that made them look their best and inspiring the choices they made for furnishing their homes.

Besides OSU football, Kristin’s passions included, reading, music and animals. She especially loved dogs, cats and cows. She donated money to various animal charities and shelters, even when her budget was strained. Her musical choices spanned every decade from the 70s to the present. With a great memory, she could sing the lyrics to most any song, even the Frank Sinatra songs she heard growing up with her parents. She had a love of English grammar and spelling and was known to help her friends, both in college and beyond, by offering to edit their writings, be it for school or, in later life, to help with a resume or cover letter. To quote one of Kristin’s dear friends, “Forever one of the most vivacious, charming, hilarious, loyal, beautiful and most wonderful friends anyone could ask for – so special in every way – and that’s how all of us will always remember her in our hearts.”

Kristin is survived by her parents, her beloved cat, Jinx, her Aunt JoAnn (Frain) & Uncle Richard Magners, Aunt Kim (Baker) & Uncle Robert Frain, her much loved cousins & their wives, Jeff and Amber Gabel, Jon and Shelby Gabel, Matthew Gabel, Joel and Perry Frain and Todd and Adrian Frain, her cherished 2nd cousins, Mason, Colin, Evi, Libby, Norah, TJ and Charlie, and a large group of extended family members.