"I met Kristy 40 yrs ago as we worked at sonoma state hospital I was always enamored by her gifts as she was intelligent and generous and adventuresome kristy could go to school and work full time and have a social life I wanted to catch up with her but now I see I am too late I will hold her in my heart as I have Blair "
In loving memory of
Kristy A. Straits-tr
Kristy Ann Straits-Tröster, 62, passed away on September 6, 2019, at Thompson Peak Medical Center, Scottsdale, AZ. Her husband, Alex, with whom she shared 31 wonderful years of love and adventure, and her niece Madison, raised by Kristy and Alex since she was 11 years old, were at her side when she began her last great journey to be with God.
Born in Akron, Ohio, Kristy was the daughter of Walter and Kathleen Straits and step-daughter of Ruth Straits. Having graduated with her doctorate in clinical psychology at the University of California - San Diego and San Diego State University, Kristy chose to dedicate her life's work as a board-certified specialist clinical health psychologist to our veterans and to training the next generation of clinical psychologists. She selflessly served veterans through the Veterans Administration system for 25 years, most recently at the Carl T. Hayden Veterans' Administration Medical Center in Phoenix. There, as section chief of health psychology, she established the Primary Care-Mental Health Integration Program and was instrumental in the creation of the fellowship training program in clinical psychology. When she retired due to her illness, the fellowship training program in health psychology was named in Kristy's honor.
Travel, cooking, gardening, playing cards, crafts and photography were just some of the hobbies she enjoyed. Kristy always put family, friends, acquaintances (and sometimes even help-seeking strangers) ahead of hobbies, though she was in most radiant bliss when she was able to combine her love of people and hobbies by sharing her activities with others. Kristy always tended to the people, pets and plants she loved, guided by her motto "tend to the living beings and things first." People remember Kristy as one of the most caring and warm people, her heart always open to others and new experiences. Her spirituality was infectious, much like her laughter and that mischievous glint in her eye in response to a private joke. At work she was an indomitable, passionate leader who had a knack for handling the most difficult situations with kindness, grace, and aplomb. Though faced with several tragedies during her too-short life, Kristy always rose to the top, coping with grace and charm. Her illness, too, was never to wear her down until its inevitable close. She expressed her happiness, gratitude and good fortune to have cherished and been blessed by so many close friendships, and several visits from her closest friends, including Deborah, Andie, Jeanne and Linda, who traveled long distances to help care for her at home during the last few weeks of earthly life. She enjoyed her friends and some truly great (but miserly) glasses of port and champagne while she could.
Kristy is survived by her husband, Dr. Alex Tröster, her niece and "daughter" Madison Straits, her step-mother Ruth Straits, her step-sister Karen Helton, her in-law family Christine, Nick, Razelle and Zachary Troester, numerous aunts and cousins. She was predeceased by her father Walter Straits, mother Kathleen Straits, brother Jeff Straits, and sister Janice Straits.
Private cremation will be followed by a memorial service for friends and family at Hansen Desert Hills Mortuary, 6500 E. Bell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85254 on Saturday, September 21, 2019 at 11 am, reception immediately following.
Memorial donations may be made to:
Arizona Humane Society, online at //www.azhumane.org/get-involved/give-now/memorial-and-tribute-gifts/
or Barrow Neurological Foundation, online at https://give.supportbarrow.org/fundraiser/2316226
Tributes
"I am so sorry to hear that Kristy is no longer in our midst. I met her when she worked at the Kansas City VA hospital and was smitten by her enchanting personality and her wonderful clinical acumen. Words fail me here, but I want to convey that she was a terrific person and I am much the richer for having known her. She has left us far too soon."
"A brilliant mind, a heart filled with love, kindness, and generosity, and the most enduring and endearing friend. My world was made all the better for meeting Kristy when our paths crossed in NY. The California girls who moved across the country. I mostly remember the constant laughter we shared, The Ear Inn, Manganaro's sandwiches, and wonderful visits we would continue to have even though we lived in different states. I am blessed that I was able to have that precious week of caring for my friend before she moved on in her journey. Will miss you terribly Kristy. See you on the flip side. Sending love and strength to you Alex and Madison in this difficult time. Wrap yourselves in the love and memories you shared with Kristy. Hopefully you will find some peace there. ...In one of the stars I shall be living. In one of them I shall be laughing. And so it will be as if all the stars were laughing, when you look at the sky at night... Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, The Little Prince"
"Kristy was an amazing, sharing, and loving person. We have lost a treasure."
"Our deepest sympathy to you, Alex and Madison. We?re so glad we were able to see Kristy and both of you in Cincinnati this past May. We pray that she is now at peace and we hope that you will always remember the good times with her. We love you, Jim and Jeanie"
"I remember Kristy as a sweet person with a calming presence and always a smile. She was kindly to me when she was a senior student finishing her PhD and I was just starting mine under the same mentor. I'm saddened by the news of her passing. My condolences to Alex and the rest of her family."
"Peace is every step. The shining red sun is my heart. Each flower smiles with me. How green, how fresh all that grows. How cool the wind blows. Peace is every step. It turns the endless path to joy. -Thich Nhat Hanh"
"Kristy was the best daughter in law any mother could wish for. She was always friendly and had a smile on her face. She was so patient with me and Alex and her darling Madison. My grandson Zach was so privileged to meet her when he travelled to USA as a little boy. He did adore his aunt. We were lucky, that Kristy came to South Africa to visit us and meet her in laws. May you rest in peace my darling."
"Kristy...my friend..always encouraging, always lifting me up when I needed it...I cannot believe she is not a phone call away..but she is in my heart daily...and she will always be close in spirit.."
"I am so sorry to hear of Kristy's death. My late husband Bill Beatty was one of Alex's professors when Alex was a graduate student. Through Bill, I first met Alex and shortly thereafter met Kristy. I liked her immediately and was thrilled to attend their wedding not too long after that. We weren't in frequent touch over the years--mostly the annual Christmas card--and Facebook brought us into a little more regular contact. I loved seeing pictures of Alex and Kristy traveling the world. They looked so happy. She was so smart, but her warmth and joy were even more prominent. Madison, your tribute to her in this obituary is one of the most moving and fitting ones I have ever read. Clearly you loved her as much as she loved you. My deepest sympathy to all of you at this time. When I think of her, I will always see her as the young woman I met so many years ago. She was a lovely woman and will be remembered and cherished for a long time. ."
"Kristy ?s friendship was a blessing and gift to all the lives she touched. We are all better for having had her in our lives.. Kristy was a friend, role model and always put everyone else first. She will be missed but never forgotten. Prayers & thoughts to Alex, Madison and Ruth."
"Kristy ?s friendship was a blessing and gift to all the lives she touched. We are all better for having had her in our lives.. Kristy was a friend, role model and always put everyone else first. She will be missed but never forgotten. Prayers & thoughts to Alex, Madison and Ruth."
"I had the honor of working with Kristy when she was at the Durham VA Health Care System in North Carolina. She was amazing in so many ways. Her passion for mental health and wellness among veterans and their families was infectious. She was personable, kind, intelligent, dynamic, and conscientious. I felt lucky to have known her. May your memories of her, and your knowledge that she touched so many, bring you peace in the coming days."
"Thank you Jeanne. You have put Kristy?s essence into words so well. Much love"
"Alex and family, so very sorry to hear that Kristy has passed away. Please accept my sincere condolences. She was a friendly, pleasant person and an excellent student who I enjoyed knowing during her career here. I?m pleased to hear what a wonderful career contributions she made as well as many new friends. Rick Schulte"
"My thoughts go out to her family and friends I had heard she was ill. Life can be so random ,arbitrary and unfair. Her spirit will life on in her plants and animals and those she she helped!. I worked with her in mental health at the VA beffore I retired 15 months ago."
"Kristy had a great capacity for happiness. Moreover, multiple tragic circumstances that would have altered the lives of others forever set her on the path toward finding her own resilience, and led her to get an education that would help thousands of others find theirs. The world is a better place because Kristy lived, and because she contributed so much. I will miss our deep and abiding friendship of 46 years, her intellectual curiosity, her playful nature, her sly wit, her collaborative nature and her inordinate humanity. And I will miss those soft brown eyes and that beautiful, ever-present smile. What a privilege it has been to have Kristy as a best friend. Deepest condolences to Alex, Madi, Ruth and all of Kristy?s many friends and colleagues."