Kristina Louise “Beanie” Tarini Taylor, 40, of West Hatfield, MA died November 8, 2013 at her home surrounded by her loving family. Beanie, as she was known, was born in Springfield, MA on March 9, 1973, a daughter of Dianne MacKenzie and John Tarini. She was raised and educated in Methuen, MA where she lived for many years.
Kristina was accomplished academic who earned her Bachelor's degree at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, along with her Master's degree in Recreation and Leisure Services at Middle Tennessee State University and her course of study toward a PhD in Leisure Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her work centered around the enjoyment and importance of play in early childhood development, a philosophy which she carried through her life and work with children at schools, summer camps and extracurricular activities. Previous to her illness, Kristina was pursuing a career in life coaching with the goal of helping others discover the fire within themselves that burned so brightly within her. Her daughter Elin was the greatest delight of her life. Kristina was a true individual who was never afraid of trying, was a genuinely dedicated friend who was always ready to help, and was incredibly loyal.
She is survived by her husband, Matt Taylor, and her daughter, Elin Louise Taylor both of West Hatfield, MA, her mother Dianne MacKenzie of East Hampstead, NH, her father, John Tarini of Charlestown, RI, and her brother Ted Tarini of Woburn, MA.
Kristina's viewing was held on Wednesday, November 13th from 4-8pm at the Peabody Funeral Home and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd, Londonderry, NH. Funeral services was held on Thursday, November 14th at 10:30am at the Londonderry United Methodist Church, 258 Mammoth Rd, Londonderry, NH.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Elin Taylor Fund, Attn: Bank Manager, Charles Gray, Citizens Bank, One Commerce Way, Woburn, MA 01801.