She Had a Song in Her Heart for Everyone

Chris Fischer Wednesday, October 26 2016 - 4:57pm

Smoochy the cat was finally let back inside, a few days before Kristin died.

Smoochy the cat was finally let back inside, a few days before Kristin died. The sofa had been placed outside, covered with a tarp on the back porch, to allow more room and comfort for her while Smoochy slept on her lap in the television room. The Chilmark Library was once filled with tambourines and the sound of Kristin Maloney’s voice as she sang to children on so many Saturdays. Sunday mornings meant blueberry pancakes in the Maloney house and walks on Lucy Vincent Beach.

For a time being, I imagine the library will be silent. Those footprints on the beach will be made by others and the cast iron pan meant for pancakes will be empty and cold. Kristin has left for another world, and now our world is not okay, but it will be eventually when the clouds evoke memories of her long, beautiful hair, and the rain reminds us of her melodic voice.

It rained last Thursday evening and Kristin took her last breath. Six months earlier she was given six months to live. It was too soon and her life was too short, just as every season comes and goes too quickly. The blossoms come in the spring and before we know it the leaves have fallen. Snow falls, drifts then melts. Fifty years ago, Kristin and her friend Clarissa boarded a train together, headed to Connecticut. And fifty years later there is no way to imagine Chilmark without Kristin.

She had two sons with her husband John, boys who blossomed into men. She was a mother to so many others, myself included. This responsibility was realized in everything she did as it came naturally, even easily, to her. Her commute to work was two and a half minutes long. The books on tape she passed the time with as she drove various Volvos to and from the library took months to finish — but the plot was never lost. She and John met at a nudist retreat to begin their story; they prepared dishes alongside each other in the commune’s kitchen, spurred by the fact that they were the only two wearing clothes.

This chapter in Kristin’s story will end with a red Volvo parked in their peastone driveway, as the oak leaves fall and the breeze grows gradually cooler. The story continues, as hard as that is to imagine right now. It will be told by Leona and Arlo, by Tristin and Adam and Lucille. The tambourines will be dusted off, and sometime soon I hope we can eat pancakes again. One chapter will close forever, though, as Kristin was the only member of the only one-person food cooperative that has ever existed. The weeds in her garden will also suffer — Kristin felt so badly about eradicating them that she was often known to transplant them to fend for themselves outside her fences.

As winter approaches, we are left to fend off the stiff wind and cold days without her gentle, loving guidance. But fend we will, using all she gave us. All that love is still here and will always be.

Chris Fischer lives in Chilmark.

Comments

Beautiful Words for a

Eric Ropke Chappaquidic

Beautiful Words for a Beautiful Soul, May We all have that much Compassion to Replant Even the Weeds We Encounter in Our Lives.

Beautifully written loving

Cooky Nevin Boston

Beautifully written loving tribute to a special woman who touched the hearts of so many. Thank you.

Precious, Kristen was...such

Pamela danz West Tisbury

Precious, Kristen was...such light that smile beamed...a gift it was to spend time...thank you

Kristin, The void your loved

Joyce Spooner

Kristin, The void your loved ones will step around every day will be gradually filled by all the loving memories you left behind. You will be sadly missed, but always remembered for the love and joy you created in their lives. God bless you. ❤️

thank you chris, all were so

alexandra rothwell

thank you chris, all were so lucky to of had her love. <3 <3

So very sorry to hear about

Dottie Sullivan Aquinnah Ma

So very sorry to hear about Kristin's passing. Lovely kind lady who will be missed by many.

So lovely, Chris! Love to

Chelsea Kelley

So lovely, Chris! Love to John, Owen, Kieran and the Chilmark community.

I only knew Kristin through

Diana Vineyard Haven

I only knew Kristin through story time with my son, she was amazing and Cooper loved her singing and freedom to dance and be silly. She will be truly missed. RIP Kristin

Kristin was such a loving

Tamara Sloan Chilmark and Ashfield MA

Kristin was such a loving light. She fed my grandmother, Peggy Freydberg, the literature she needed to survive, and supported me when my grandmother was aging and eventually died. It's such a loss. I imagine them sharing laughter and good literature somewhere. It's how I'd like it to be.

so grand that you got to

gus wheeler mill valley

so grand that you got to experience such fine caring talented lady......who made such impression..... hope that you are all well and happy....halloween...
heading to oyster bar....SF......will look for you friend there... gus

Yours is a beautiful

Susan McConnell Chicago, Illinois

Yours is a beautiful community, because of people like you and Kristin. Thank you for writing this.

I knew Kristen mostly through

Beverly Russell's step-mom St. Augustine Florida

I knew Kristen mostly through the people that love her so and I was always so impressed with her inner beauty to those who lost her I can only say... What greater gift could be bestowed or greater knowledge gained then to be trusted with the heart and soul of the one you love who was suffering? My heart goes out to Russell who loved her so and to John and her children and her friends.

I'm so lucky to know her and

Jeff halprin Natick

I'm so lucky to know her and have these memories. Kristin is gone way too soon

I didn't know her well, but I

Martha Magee

I didn't know her well, but I loved her. And for a long time. What an uplifting person! I liked her alot. The Chilmark Library will never be the same. But may the sweetness of her kind and generous spirit remain a part of the library's soul forever.

Beautiful words, Chris

Pam Benjamin Vineyard Haven

Beautiful words, Chris Fischer, thank you. We are so grateful that four of our grandsons and numerous little friends have had the great privilege and been wonderfully blessed by having Kristin sing to them at the Chilmark Library. She will be sorely missed. Lots of Love and Support to her family and friends. ❤️

I never knew Kristen, but

Paula Eisenberg Aquinnah

I never knew Kristen, but reading this beautiful tribute, I wish I had.

We have forever been singing

Joan LeLacheur Aquinnah

We have forever been singing Kristin's welcome song! She made all of us feel so special..,,love her! I will sing her song always

Your writing broke my heart..

David Fisher Boston

Your writing broke my heart...and brought tears to my eyes.

When we lived in Chilmark in 2011-2012, my Twins (three years old) grew up at that library.

She was an amazing woman.

What a difference a broad

Teddy Speck Newburyport

What a difference a broad smile makes to a child entering a building. Thank you Kristen for making the Chilmark Library a second home to me and my siblings.

I am sad to hear about

Carla Lee Gilbert, AZ

I am sad to hear about Kristin. Years ago when my marriage fell apart and I felt the heaviness of having to go back to work and leave my youngest child, Kristin stepped in to care for him. i drove him up to Chilmark every day knowing he was not only well cared for, but nurtured and loved. Kristin is a special soul and I am grateful for the gifts she gave us. May her family and friends find a measure of peace.

a very special and gifted

gus wheeler mill valley

a very special and gifted woman....made happiness seem so simple... and the tributes here testify to all the love she spread around...

Every one of my grandchildren

Anne Luzzatto Chilmark

Every one of my grandchildren couldn't wait to get to the library each Saturday for story hour. As the years passed they graduated to become her 'assistants' ... more years passed and she was picking the best new chapter books for them. We all loved her beauty and gentleness and her long silver braid. I cannot believe she is not with us.

Kristin has always been an

Steve Posin Sn Francisco

Kristin has always been an integral part of my Island family during visits to the Allen Farm beginning in 1975. Always kind, warm, smart and classy. I will miss her.

Kristin is the ultimate

Megan W. Brookline

Kristin is the ultimate example of how simple acts of kindness make the world a better place. I am grateful and humbled to have known her and blessed that she touched the lives of my children. Our thoughts and prayers will be with Kristin's family and loved ones. May cherished memories help you through times of grief.

Chris

Nancy aronie Chilmark

Chris
This was just beautiful. The library has been my temple and Kristin my high priest . I would come in and yell to the back... help‼️What should I read. Kristin would come out and walk the adolescent with pulling and asking , do you like so and so how about such and such? She intuitively knew what I would love AND that I wouldn't be able to find it without her help. It was our codependent dance among the books.
It appears I wasn't the only one who totally loved her. I miss her.