She was the sweetest Mother.  I had experience knowing her and her children as they were young.

Tim, I had the pleasure of meeting Kindra, you and the children many years ago at a work get together. I was struggling with a recent illness myself. Kindra came over to say hello and our conversation was short but her words have never left my mind and I have leaned on those words many times through the years to keep going. That conversation took place about 20 years ago but she continues to impact me today. I am sorry for your loss.

Since the moment I received the news that Kindra passed away, I've been reflecting over just the right words to say to the Wildies and the Bradshaws – Kindra's amazing and caring family.  I've looked for the perfect words to console and relay my sorrow.  I find that there are no words to ease the pain and feelings of loss during this very difficult time.  A wise woman once said, “what we have once enjoyed we can never lose. All that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”  The thoughts and sentiments found on this website show this to be true.  Kindra touched so many people and taught us all so much in her short time here. I see the legacy she left behind and the compassion, patience, courage, strength, and humor that she passed on.  I will deeply miss her presence.

My first memory of Kindra was at Vanessa and Kevin's wedding rehearsal.  I remember seeing Kindra walking with a cane down the church aisle and into one of the pews. At the time I recall feeling sad to see someone so young using a cane. It wasn't until much later that I would understand the strength she possessed and the influence she would have on so many people.
From Ryan's beautifully written eulogy to the many kind words expressed about Kindra, she undoubtedly had a profound effect on all those who were blessed to come in contact with her. A woman with an optism and spirit so relentess that it shames me to think I could have a reason to give up on anything.
For me, Kindra will always remain the epitome of patience, kindness, and courage.

We didn't get to see my auntie Kindra as much as we would have liked, but I wish we could run around in the park together.  She means alot to us because she is special.  Part of her name is Kind, but she is better than kind because she never said mean things about other people. I wish I could have done more with her.  We love you.

Kindra's illness affected not just her, but those around her.  At the center of my sister's life were Tim and my mother and father.  More than anyone I personally know, they modeled the fullness of true love that Christ taught us to emulate.  A few years ago, I gave a presentation at St. Clare on St. Damien, a priest who devoted his life until death to serving the needs of those afflicted with Leprosy who were quarantined on the island of Molokai, Hawaii.  I chose St. Damien because he loved God by loving others, lived his life for others, and died trying to alleviate the suffering of others.  St. Damien revealed the transformative power of Christ through acts, not words.  I am drawn to him because I have witnessed three “St. Damiens” in my life:  Tim (Kindra's husband) and my mother and father.  They were the primary caretakers for my sister.  They teach us all the potential we have to love more fully.  In taking care of my sister, they demonstrated how true love attains fullness when done with as few words as possible.  My sister was blessed to have them in her life.

We are so sorry for your loss. Losing a loved one is very hard. God is aware of your pain and promises at
Isaiah 61:2 "to comfort all the mourning ones." So He WILL help you through this time.

Dear Kevin & Vanessa, 
Our deepest sympathies to you and your family in this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Kevin, your eulogy was so beautiful and thoughtful. Kindra's love will always live on through you and your family.

Such a heartbreak to say goodbye to Kindra. Kindra is an inspiration to so many of us as is her extraordinary family who took such kind and loving care of her. She is a beautiful soul whose affect on all our lives will live on and manifest in many positive ways. 
Much love to the Bradshaw and Wildie families.

My deepest sympathy to you and your family. She's in good hands now and will always be smiling down and watching over you. Lisa Piccioli, Beacon Falls, CT

Dear Kevin, Vanessa and family please know that you and your family are in our hearts and prayers.  
With deepest sympathy.

Kevin,Vanessa and family,
  I am so very sorry to hear about youe loss of a family member. I pray for her and all of you and praise God she is now at peace. I didn't know her though I may have met her @ your wedding. But because I know you Kevin, I am truly sorry. My condolences to you and your family.

Kindra, you are the love of my life. I can't express in words what you mean to me. I know that God joined us together for a reason 26 years ago and that your mission here on earth was accomplished perfectly. You have left me a road map to follow and I know that its up to me now to complete the rest of the journey. I am so proud of Ryan and Nicole, they have been given a special gift from the most loving mother. I love you and miss you dearly.

Twenty-two years ago, my mother was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Although many may shy away from embracing her chronic illness and would rather look to the good times before her disability, the undeniable reality is that through her MS my mother has transformed my life and my family in ways we could have never imagined. Some may have looked at her condition during the last 10 years of her life with pity and sorrow; perhaps even a life not worth enduring. My mom profoundly disagreed.

When suffering with a physically debilitating disease, it is easy to overlook the healing of the soul. The truth is that severe pain and suffering strikes not just the body and soul, but also relationships, values, and even the meaning of life. Many who suffer these painful conditions look to faith, teachers, and counselors. Yet even in her suffering, my mother was able to transcend her condition through her deep faith in Christ and become an important teacher for us all.

Although her physical body grew weaker through the progression of her disease, her faith and love of life continued to grow stronger. As a wife, mother, sister, and daughter she has blessed many of us with the most important lessons in life: How to live a life full of grace, gratitude, patience, courage, strength, and love.

Given her physical limitations, my mother wasn't able do the things most mothers are privileged to do with their children. In fact, there were many important occasions in my life where my mother was not able to attend. And in the last few years of her life, her weakness made it even more difficult to talk about even the most daily topics. But it would be a terrible mistake to see her as any less of a mother because of this. Through her suffering and the strength of her spirit, my mother was able to teach me through actions what mere words could never do.

I have never heard my mother complain about why she had MS. Her inner frustrations with disability were never taken out on the family or me. Throughout her disease, she took her everyday complications with a smile on her face, willing to listen to whatever you had to say. I know I'm not the only one when I say she also had an abundance of patience and a great sense of humor. Of course it's almost essential to have that much patience and humor when living with someone like me, who takes for granted all of the basic needs that make us go throughout the day, not to mention the little extra that was probably needed for my dad. Most importantly my mother showed her love for us in all of these actions. There is no doubt that she loved me and that she loved her family dearly. And we dearly loved her.

Conveying love through words is always a tricky thing to do. It is often easier to point to actions that represent love. It is possibly even easier to point to what are not examples of love. Growing up, I remember my mom would watch the Lifetime Movie channel consistently. I would always laugh at its dramatic storylines involving the problems between wives and their, sometimes terrible, husbands. However as I start to think about it, I think she must have secretly laughed at them also, but for a different reason. I believe she knew that even the TV's portrayal of love was no match for authentic love and devotion she shared with my dad. I cannot think of any better example from my life.

My mother was an amazing woman whose love deeply touched everyone around her. She was a beautiful wife, mother, aunt, daughter, sister, friend, and human being. I think it's easy to say that she also has had a huge impact on a lot of people. But I would like us to remember her suffering and the lessons we have learned from her. She has been relieved of her suffering and is in better place because of it.

Kindra Bradshaw will always live in our memories. I am proud to call myself her son.

Please accept our condolences on the loss of your beloved sister.

Joan and Burt Emerson

I always had a sense that Kindra was more than just a sister to me but never understood in what way until the past few years.  She had a special influence on me and those around her, blessing us with the most important lessons in life.

My sister's life has always been filled with wonder to me.  During the first half, she was unbound with energy and athleticism, participating in every sport that came her way: volleyball, basketball, softball, and tennis.  If she wasn't playing sports or cheerleading, she was playing tetherball in the backyard, swimming, practicing piano, running across the yard on stilts, dancing and singing to a Michael Jackson in front of her bedroom mirror, or chasing me through the house in revenge for some annoying prank I inflicted on her. I have vivid memories of those early years.

By the time she had turned 25, all of her physical abilities to do all the things she love to do began to disappear.  The greatest wonder to me was that while her body began to deteriorate, her spirit continued to flourish, and her sweet smiles, laughter, and good humor continued to grow.  Her profound loss of movement throughout her body, including her ability to speak clearly, along with her chronic pain and discomfort, never crushed her spirit or caused her to become bitter, angry, and resentful, or wallow in self-pity. Rather, she transcended her physical suffering.  She taught me, through her smiles, laughter, and grace, that the fullness of life comes only from within.  It is not necessarily determined by our physical health but conditioned by the nourishment and healing we give to our spirit, our soul, and to others.

Her faith in living the way of Christ, a way that teaches to stop living for oneself and start living for others, in the service of others, brought fullness to her life and ours.  And in living this way, she lived FOR her family.  She endured the pain and discomfort FOR her family.  She could have given up on life.  She could have come to the conclusion that her afflictions were too much to bear.  She could have allowed her spirit to die.  Instead, she endured the pain, beared her cross, so that she could be there as a mother for Ryan and Nicole, and as a wife for Tim.  Rather than bringing resentfulness and pity, she blessed us with her unlimited gratitude, thoughtfulness, patience, humility, forgiveness, self-sacrifice, prayers, faith, love, and above all, laughter.  She lived a life worthy of living. She loved life and loved her family.  Some may think that taking care of my sister was a burden on her family.  Taking care of someone you truly love is never a burden.  It is an opportunity to love.  I could not have asked for a better teacher.

When I catch myself feeling impatient, ungrateful, selfish, or unforgiving, Kindra's smile will always be there to provide perspective and clarity.  My sister's physical limitations never stopped her from being with me during some of the most memorable moments in my life.  Whether hiking the Rockies, lying on the beaches of Thailand, riding in a taxi through downtown Soule, or climbing to the peak of Mt. Fuji, my sister's spirit was always there with Vanessa and me.  

My heart aches that my sister was never able to hold Maddie's hand while walking through the park, push Allie on the swings, or bake brownies and play board games with my girls, and all the other little things that make life precious and meaningful.  My heart aches that my girls will not grow up showered with my sister's generous humor, guidance, and faith as they navigate through their lives.  But my daughters will always be blessed with the memories we will share with them about her.  She gave throughout her life, and as I move on through my years, she will continue to teach me and those who were blessed to know her.  Her smiles and laughter will always be in our hearts.  Kindra, I love you.  I miss you.

Terri, Nordell and Family;  I am truly sorry for your loss.  I am glad my mom was able to be there for you all.  Kindra was such a beautiful earthly angel and now she is an even more so beautiful heavenly angel standing on the side of God...dancing gloriously and forever pain free!

We are so sorry for your loss.  You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
Alan & Susan

Truly, Kindra, you were too good for this world.  An angel was among us.  Love goes out to Tim, the children, Nordell and Terry, and all the family.  Love, Uncle Ben

I have heard so many lovely things about Kindra through Vanessa and feel that  she has touched my heart as well. My family sends all of their love and sympathy to all of you. May each day get a little bit easier as you hold each other in support. Love, Kelly, Dave, Robert, Suzy and Nikki

Terri and Family,  So sorry to hear about the loss of your beautiful daughter.  You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.

Terri, Nordell & family...Our thoughts and prayers are with you! Kindra is dancing in heaven right now. We love you!

Oh what a beautiful Lady!! You were the inspuration of so many people.You were your Mother and fathers child for sure.They are the most loving people.You are going to be missed so much. Love to all of the family.

Our hearts are so heavy and we feel so lost without our dear Kindra. We are so happy she isn't suffering but we have such a void in our lives knowing that she is gone. We couldn't have asked for a more dear daughter. Our love for you is eternal Kindra and we will be together again someday.  We love you so much.  
Dad and Mom

I am blessed to have known Kindra and honored to be her sister-in-law. I love remembering her smile, laugh, and the way she would roll her eyes when Tim said something silly. I treasure being a part of such a loving and giving family. God bless Kindra and keep her safe until we see each other again.

Kindra was the embodiment of sweetness, strength, and unfailing love. In turn she was loved by everyone who knew her. She will be missed not only by her close family, but also by everyone who was graced by her presence.

To the very loving family of Kindra, you are such an example of REAL love.  I know God kept you strong for this awesome work He called you to!  Never for a moment Kindra was without your love and awesome care, now she is in the place where Love abounds knowing no more pain.  John and I loved her so much, she was God's gift to Tim.
Mary Bradshaw Dibene

Nordell, Terri and family. Sending thoughts and prayers your way, and I am so very sorry for your loss. God Bless all of you.

Kindra, your sweet spirit, strength and grace have been a great inspiration to me.   You were loved and cared for by family who were devoted to you.  We have faith that we will see you again with a perfect body, and your beautiful smile!  Love you, Aunt Cathy and Bill

I have so many memories of Kindra, and they all involve her being loving, kind and giving. That's how I'll always remember her. I was blessed to have her as a cousin! I love you Kindra and can't wait to see you again someday.

My beautiful and loving neice. I will miss you. My comfort is to know you are in the loving arms of God and are healed.

OBITUARY

Kindra L Bradshaw

April 30, 1967 – January 11, 2012

Lambert Funeral Home

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