Fierce Blue Bird (Kristine) is an angel
Comments
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Thanks Sharon..
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We will always remember. Kris you will be missed but cherished.
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May you rest in peace, FBB. I pray for strength for all those that loved you, but for your family most of all. You were an inspiration.
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2ndtimearound - Thank you for posting that picture of Kristine. Here in BC0 we don't often get to see 'before the diagnosis'. And she is so lovely.
What really it home was the message from her husband, when he called her Krissy. To us she was FierceBlueBird and to the man who loves her she's Krissy. Familiar names are so personal, and I find it heartbreaking. She's been with him since they were kids - I remember reading that in her bio when she first joined in. Right from the start she impressed with her kindness, grace, humour, bravery, and her boundless love for life.
I believe she is flying high right now, but still, she was taken much too soon.
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Thoughts and prayers for FBB's family. May she soar.
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I will miss you Bluebird. You were always so supportive and kind to everybody. Always staying positive. God is with you.
Much Love
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It was my pleasure knowing FBB, she was fun, inspirational and had an attitude that was wonderful. My deepest sympathies to her dear family, she will be missed by so many--just to young.
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So unfair. We messaged some through the months and she was a wonderful person. May her spirit live on through her family and all those here that loved her. I hope her family can find some peace that she is whole again. Taken way too soon.
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Kristine painted this:

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Morningsun, thanks for posting that!
I was just reading the words to a song Michael Buble sang as a tribute to his grandma who just passed:
"Goodbye, let our hearts call it a day / But before you walk away / I sincerely want to say / I wish you bluebirds in the spring / To give your heart a song to sing."
Anytime I read the word "bluebird" or see bluebirds of any kind, I will forever think of Kristine. I have been looking for bluebird cards and little things to send her for several months now. It will be a hard habit to break.
"Zippity-do-dah! Zippity-ay! My-oh-my, what a wonderful day. Plenty of sunshine, coming my way! Zippity-do-dah! Zippity-ay! Mrs. Bluebird on my shoulder....."
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Thanks, Morningsun, she was talented, too

I looked for bluebirds all weekend....didn't catch one, though.
I miss her.
Praying for her family....and us.
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FierceBlueBird will be remembered and missed. I so appreciated her upbeat and honest spirit. This disease is so unfair.
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Kristine Lynn Gross
AGE: 49 • Berlin
Kristine Gross (Schmidt) lost her long and hard fought battle with cancer on July 23, 2014 at (Virtua Hospital, Voorhees, NJ). She was born on January 9, 1965 at (Frankford Hospital, Philadelphia, PA). She grew up in Cinnaminson, NJ and in 1985 earned an Associates in Science degree of Veterinary Technology at Harcum College, in Bryn Mawr, PA.As part of attaining that degree Kris had Veterinary Internship Practicums at the University of Pennsylvania which included large and small animal Veterinary clinical rotations in Anesthesia, Surgery, Radiology and Medicine. She then married her childhood sweetheart Steve Gross on September 26, 1987 at Sacred Heart Church, Riverton, NJ. She worked at a few local Veterinary Hospitals until 1989.In 1989 Kris started working full time at Rowan University and eventually became the Senior Laboratory Technician in the Department of Chemistry and Physics. Kris completed her Bachelor of Science degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude after majoring in Biology with a minor in Chemistry at Rowan University in 1996. In 1997 Kris resigned to stay home to raise her children for twelve years - and then returned to employment at Rowan in 2009 in various job titles culminating with Department Secretary of the Writing Department. Kris gained a wealth of friends and animals and was cherished by all. She inherited her mother's joy of cooking and culinary skills. She had considerable artistic talent which she expressed throughout her home decor with paintings, stained glass windows, etc. She had a flair for writing engagingly especially on Facebook and on her Blog. The love, guidance and laughter that she shared with all who knew and loved her will be sorely missed. Thanks goes out to all her friends, family, medical personnel and the breast cancer survivor network acquaintances who provided love, support and camaraderie during her battle. She is the Beloved wife of 27 years to Stephen R. Gross. Loving mother of BrieAnn Gross and Brett Gross both of Berlin. Daughter of Robert (Peggy) Schmidt of Dover, DE, the late Norma (nee Bender) Schmidt. Survived by sister Amy (Edward) Jones of Savannah, GA, brother Robert (Debbie) Schmidt of Hopewell, NJ, brother Jeffrey (Bonnie) Schmidt of Lenhartsville, PA, sister Julie (Renee) Linder of Bloomingburg, NY, sister Laura Schmidt of Riverside, NJ, mother and father-in-law Marion & William Gross of Philadelphia and many other loving family members and friends. Cremation was private. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the visitation with the family on Saturday 11am to 12noon followed by a memorial service 12noon at the: ORA L. WOOSTER FUNERAL HOME, 51 Park Blvd., Clementon, NJ 08021. In lieu of flowers the family request memorial donations to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 60 E. 56th Street, New York, NY 10022 and / or the National Wildlife Federation, P.O. Box 1691, Merrifield, VA 22116. Share memories at OraLWoosterFuneralHome.com - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/courierpostonline/obituary.aspx?pid=171888392#sthash.76rnUb7k.dpuf -
Thanks, Nihahi.....
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Thanks Nihahi . I just know for certain that Kristine was someone very special,
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Thanks, Nihahi. My heart hurts, especially for her family. What an interesting and wonderful person.
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Kristine, Blue...........Bluebird..........FierceBlueBird.......Love you sassy
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Beautiful, thanks 4 posting.
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Thank you for posting.
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I am just seeing this thread for the first time. What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful lady that touched us all in some way. A day has not gone by, since the news, that I don't think of her. I still see her so happy in that canoe. She was so supportive of others even though she was going through so much herself. My candle continues to burn. You are free Blue!!!!!
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I wanted to thank all of the people on this forum that befriended Fierce Blue Bird (aka Kristine) and offered her their love and support through her difficult illness. Kris and I shared a wonderful friendship for 26 years . We were very close and saying goodbye could not have been any harder . She was so special ... when she left she took a big piece of my heart with her.
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crazyacres, so sorry. What a gift, to be friends for so long. She touched a lot of hearts and won't be forgotten. Thanks for posting here.
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Crazyacres,
So sweet of you to come here, thank-you. The photo is lovely. Kristine was smart & so giving in her words. We miss her on the INSOMNIACS thread.
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crazyacres - I'm so sorry for your loss of a beautiful friend. And thank you for sharing the picture with us, you both look so happy. Kristine was given an unfairly gruelling challenge, and as much as we supported her, she always supported us 10 times back. I am in awe of her spirit and kindness.
Kristine spoke about her love for animals and nature. I noticed that she is wearing a butterfly shirt in your photo. Butterflies are beautiful, but also strong and courageous. They have to fight their way out of the cocoon, which gives them the strength in their wings to enable them to fly. Strong and courageous and lovely is how I think of Kristine.
My best wishes to you,
Janet
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crazy acres- Thank you so so much for posting your picture with Kristine. You are so lucky to have shared so many years of friendship with her. I have only known her from here. She was so thoughtful and supportive while going through so much herself. I will never forget her.
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Crazyacres - thank you so much for posting here and sharing your picture. She touched so many of us here with her sense of humor, kindness, creativity and spirit. We miss her deeply after such a short time knowing her and only through words on the page. I can only imagine how deeply you miss her. Please know that we hold you and her family in our hearts....always.Bailey
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I am so sad to just learn about Bluebird's passing. I remember her posts a lot on the radiation threads at the end of last year. It is heartbreaking - she certainly went through so much and was always so strong and brave.
My heartfelt sympathies to her husband, children, family members and friends.
Fly free now Bluebird - we leave our love with you.
Xoxxo
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I was a very close friend of Kristine for 26 wonderful years. You should send it to her family . I think her daughter would like it.
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