“Grief becomes easier to bear when it is shared by those who understand the total depth and breadth of your grief. When I heard about this amazing organization called ACCESS, I knew that I wanted to become involved and connect with others who could understand my grief. Shortly thereafter I attended a Grief Mentor training class, and in four days I met and bonded with a group of women that will be a part of my life forever. With every holiday, birthday, anniversary and all of those other days when my heart is breaking because my daughter is no longer with us, the pain is eased by sharing with those who know and understand.” -Cindi Saltzgiver

Kristin had an infectious charisma that made her a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew her. She received her Bachelor’s in Education from Sam Houston State University in just 3 years. She was known for her energy and ability to get things done and gave generously of her time and talents in the Bradford, PA community by volunteering at The Learning Center and leading the County Recycling Advisory Council. She will be remembered for her caring and compassionate nature as someone who wanted to make a difference and was always there to help. She was always eager to learn or try something new, and when she had a goal she was unstoppable.

Her industrious nature led her from campaign manager and beverage market manager to starting her own business, Ark Specialty Services, as a consultant to the bottled water and beverage industries. Kristin’s experience and expertise took her around the world, including Iraq, where she helped set up safe water supply for the United States Armed Forces on 4 bases. She served on the Board of Directors for the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) where she chaired various committees and task forces. It was after an IBWA Board of Director’s meeting that Kristin boarded Continental Flight 3407 to come home to her family.

At the center of her universe was her husband, Russ, her step-daughter, Jessica, and her 2 daughters, Alexandra and Sydney who continue to make her proud as they grow into confident, brilliant young women, just like her. She left us proof that the spirit lives on long after the vessel that contains it has dissolved away. We see evidence every day in the love and pride of her parents, Gale and Cindi Saltzgiver, and her brother, John, in the strength and courage of her husband, Russ, who continues to raise their children with the same sense of morality, charitable duty, fearlessness and thirst for improvement and intellectual growth that guided their mother throughout her life. Every time Alex challenges an idea, every time Sydney laughs, Kristin is there saying “I haven’t gone far”.

“ACCESS has been so wonderful and helpful to me. I can never thank them and my ACCESS Grief Mentor, Elizabeth enough for all they have done to keep me here.” – Barbara Zimet