Kristie Lacina

Life is full of resounding questions that remain unanswered, and it is often these very same questions that wound us like no other. When we reflect on the life of Kristie Lacina we are left asking why some are given decades in which to compose their life’s song while others are given a mere whisper in time. She was a young woman in the prime of her life with so many experiences yet to encounter when she was taken from those she loved. Kristie was a vibrant and fun-loving person whose sparkling personality naturally drew others near. When she loved she loved deeply and in so doing, she made a significant impact in the lives of so many around her. Life will never be the same without Kristie here, but her memory will remain forever near and dear to all our hearts.

The eighties were a colorful time in American history when the cultural fabric of our nation was transformed with people like Madonna and Michael Jackson becoming household names while camcorders, Cabbage Patch dolls, and Nintendo game players became hot commodities. Flashdance, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, and The Breakfast Club delighted moviegoers from coast to coast while more serious issues such as the explosion of the space shuttle Challenger and the growing AIDS epidemic rocked our nation to its core. It was during this exciting time that a young family from Ovid, Michigan, was eagerly anticipating the birth of their new baby. Their wait was over on March 2, 1983, when baby Kristie drew her first breath and was welcomed into the arms of her parents, Robert and Catherine (Dumond) Lacina. She the younger of two girls in her family, joining her sister, Jamie, who was four years her senior. Kristie was a delight from the start as she was a contented baby who rarely cried, and she had an easy going personality to boot. Her laid back nature continued throughout most of her life as she just took everything in stride.

In many ways Kristie experienced an upbringing that was rather typical for the youth of her generation. She was kindhearted and always had a special love for animals. In fact, Kristie tried to rescue every animal that came her way including birds, cats, and dogs. She was a bit of a tomboy who also loved horseback riding and took riding lessons as a young girl. Kristie was also into gymnastics and was a cheerleader in junior high. She was quiet and shy as a young adult, but she always liked hanging out with her friends. Kristie’s best friend was her sister, Jamie, as the two girls were always close. Jamie was the neat one while Kristie always appeared to be the messy one, although she was organized in her own way. She enjoyed going hunting with her mother, but with a tender place in her heart for animals Kristie never actually shot a deer as she preferred simply watching until she was given a hunt through the Tony Semple Foundation for hope where she got a beautiful eight point buck. She liked playing around on her quads, and this later developed into a love for big 4x4 trucks just like her father.

As she grew older Kristie began to undergo some changes in her personality. She lost her shy tendencies and became unafraid to tell people like she saw it. Not unlike many other high school students, Kristie discovered that she like to party, and one such party got Kristie into a bit of hot water. On this particular evening she fled into the nearby woods when the police showed up on the scene where she remained while watching them tow away her father’s truck. It was also in high school that Kristie met a young man named Kyle Gregory, but it wasn’t until their paths crossed after high school that he became a significant part of her life.

After graduating from high school Kristie was ready to embark on the next phase in her life’s journey. It doesn’t come as a surprise that she loved working as a veterinary assistant at Pinecrest Animal Hospital. Kristie and Kyle began dating and later became engaged. Kyle had a son, Carson, from a previous relationship whom Kristie embraced and loved as her own.

Kristie and her loved ones were dealt a devastating blow when she was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in July of 2006. She was strong in the beginning, and she fought hard throughout her illness. Understandably so, Kristie became more scared and angry as the disease progressed.

A gift given to her loved ones for such a short time, Kristie Lacina was a strong and courageous young woman. She lived by the motto, “Live like there’s no tomorrow,” as she fully embraced everything life has to offer. There was no greater treasure in Kristie’s life than her family, and her friends always brought her so much joy. Although her time with us was short, the impact she made in the lives of those around her was no less significant. Kristie will be deeply missed and warmly remembered.

Kristie M. Lacina died on December 13, 2011. Kristie’s family includes her parents, Kathy and Bob Lacina of Ovid, sister, Jamie Lacina of Dewitt; fiancé, Kyle Gregory; stepson, Carson Gregory; grandmother, Dorine Lacina; grandfather, Harry Dumond; aunts, Nancy Kozan, Jackie Hollenback; uncle, Steve (Donna) Lacina; and cousins, Traci Carroll, Nikki Fuller, Annette Tkaczyk, Jeff Hollenback, Billie Jo Hollenback, and Tracy (Ryan) Wildermuth, Michael Dumond and Mallory Dumond. Kristie was preceded in death by her grandfather, Robert Lacina; grandmother, Olive Dumond; and uncles, Gail Dumond and Eugene Hollenback. Funeral Services will be held 1:00 p.m., Saturday, December 17, 2011, at the Houghton Chapel of The Osgood Funeral Homes in Ovid, MI, with Pastor Cal Emerson officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery. The family will receive friends, 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m., Friday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to family wishes. To learn more about Kristie please visit her personal webpage at www.lifestorynet.com/memories/76237. The family was served by The Osgood Funeral Homes.