Kristen Q. (Quimby) Menhall

Shrewsbury - Kristen Menhall had the wonderful gift and blessing to engage others and stay genuinely connected to the many varied circles of friends she had in her fifty-two years. She adored and loved her family, and her happy place was in Narragansett, Rhode Island where she spent a lot of time on the beach, watching sunsets, and listening to the ocean waves. She enjoyed hosting friends and family at her cottage on Great Island.

Born on September 5, 1970, in Springfield, Massachusetts she was a graduate of Enrico Fermi High School in Enfield, Connecticut (1988) and earned her Bachelor's degree from Eastern Connecticut State University (1992). Kristen later earned her Master's degree in Global Marketing, Communications and Advertising at Emerson College in Belgium (1997-1998).

She married Dalton W. Menhall II on October 28, 2000, in St. Peter's by the Sea Church in Narragansett. They lived 17 years in Grafton before making Shrewsbury their home in 2019.

Diagnosed with a brain tumor in October of 2001 Kristen moved forward with grace, optimism and an unwillingness to surrender to the disease. And in spite of the possibility of not being able to have children…she was blessed twice with the births of her two sons. Her boys were her miracles. She waved away sympathy and pity while battling the disease. Kristen always puts others first…reaching out with a phone call or a card or letter to family and friends in need. Perhaps Kristen believed a healing power was laughter, love and prayer because she had all three.

Kristen died peacefully Thursday, September 15, 2022, at home with her family at her side.

Kristen stayed at home and was an active mother and community member in Grafton. She was a certified Itsy Bisty Yoga Instructor and in addition to being a class parent and on the PTO, she was instrumental in helping launch the BOKS Program, which helps keep kids active in school. She was also the team manager for her son, Tripp's 'Junior Crusaders' hockey team. Kristen volunteered as a wish granter for the Make-A-Wish Foundation and was a board member and active in the annual Swing for Wishes golf tournament in Central Mass for 20 years. Kristen's gift of compassion and kindness was on display throughout all her volunteer efforts. In addition to raising her boys she worked from home as a senior consultant for Beauty Counter for the last four years.

In addition to her husband of 21 years, Dalton, she leaves their sons, Dalton W. 'Tripp' Menhall III and Cameron Q. Menhall; her father, Earl R. Quimby of Wilbraham; her sister, Debra Bottomley (Walter) of E. Longmeadow; in-laws, Dalton W. and Lilian (Christie) Menhall, Rebecca Duguid (John), all of Reno, Nevada and Katherine Menhall - Krawczyk (Rob) of Galloway, Ohio; nieces & nephews, Brooke and Hayden Bottomley, Reagan, Jack and Andrew Duquid, Gavin and Reid Vicars; also survived by aunts, uncles and cousins. Her mother, Elaine (Bousquet) Quimby died January 14, 2022, and her niece, Brittany Lynn Bottomley died May 2, 2022.

Family and friends will honor and remember Kristen's life by gathering for calling hours from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 20th at The Eastern Shore Club, 206 South Quinsigamond Avenue, Shrewsbury. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday in Saint Mary's Church, 640 Main Street, Shrewsbury at 10:30 a.m. Fr. Wayne Biernat, Pastor of St. Michael's Parish in E. Longmeadow will officiate. Burial is private.

Those wishing to view the broadcast (and recording) of Kristen's Mass please use this link: https://my.gather.app/remember/kristen-menhall

Kristen's family expresses heartfelt gratitude to her wonderful and caring team of medical professionals including Dr. Tracy Batchelor & Lisa Doherty, RN for their compassion, dedicated care and friendship.

Please consider supporting brain tumor research under Dr. Tracy Batchelor's direction at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Checks can be made payable to Brigham and Women's Hospital and mailed to the Brigham Development Office, 116 Huntington Avenue, 5th Floor, Boston, 02116 or made online at: https://giving.brighamandwomens.org. We ask that you kindly note that your gift has been made in memory of Kristen Menhall.

Arrangements by James & John Heald of The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street, Waltham.