Kirsten Alexsandra Rota

“Kiki” Rota, at age 54, of New City, New York, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2025, after a courageous battle with a recurrence of breast cancer. Born in August of 1971, in Washington Heights, New York, Kirsten was the beloved daughter of Barbara Walker and the late Earle Walker. She was a devoted wife to Wayne Rota, a loving mother to her son, Dylan, a cherished sister to Giana Marquetti, and a loving aunt to her talented niece Kyra Skye.

Kiki will be remembered for her radiant energy, sharp wit, and boundless capacity to bring joy and color into every space she entered. She will be remembered for her infectious spirit, creativity, and the love she shared so freely with everyone around her. A bright light to all who knew her, Kiki will be remembered for her humor, strength, creativity, and the warmth she shared so freely.

Kiki was a proud graduate of Convent of the Sacred Heart in NYC and went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in French Literature from Amherst College. She studied in France, in both high school and college. She spoke fluently in French and did it so well that French people would ask her which province in France she was from.

Her curiosity and ambition led her through a dynamic career—from investment banking to account management, sales, recruitment, and ultimately to career counseling and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. She loved mentoring others, particularly her work supporting the LevelTen Energy Scholars in renewable energy.

In 2013, Kirsten married the love of her life, Wayne, at the Bear Mountain Inn, marking the joyful beginning of a marriage filled with laughter, travel, adventure, love, creativity, and lasting memories. Together they raised their fantastic, cherished son Dylan, who was her greatest joy. She felt the world was his and always encouraged him to go after it. Kiki was endlessly creative.To know Kiki, was to know her unwavering determination. When she wanted to learn something new, she pursued it until she mastered it. Her smile, humor, and light touched everyone around her.

She had an endless list of passions: traveling,good books designing custom silver jewelry, floral arranging, and delicate watercolor paintings. Her love for baking, especially cookies, and her talent for creating beautiful gift baskets brought joy to everyone lucky enough to receive them. Her curiosity and drive meant she could master anything she set her mind to.

A member of the “Lit-Wits” book club and a Pilates enthusiast, Kirsten lived life with curiosity, passion, and grace. She savored the theater,cherished her friends, and found joy in every connection she made,always with humor, grace, and that unmistakable sparkle in her eyes.

In her own words, Kirsten believed that “friendships were life’s most valuable treasures.” She believed that sometimes as adults, we let our lives become more hectic and isolated. She encouraged everyone to continue to make friends, to stretch themselves, and to cherish memories. Be a friend, reach out to someone new, accept an invitation, and let yourself be happily surprised. It’s never too late.

Kirsten’s smile could light up a room, and her humor and determination inspired everyone. Her light, laughter, and love will live on in every heart she touched. If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I’d walk right up to heaven and bring you home again. A great soul never dies, they live in our hearts forever.

Acknowledgements :

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will always be remembered with deep gratitude.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) or Autism Speaks in honor of Kirsten Rota.

Please see the link below for the livestream.

https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/c25111986433059