Obituary of Kristin Murata

Kristin Murata, 49, died March 28, 2012, in Boulder Creek, California. A memorial service will be held at 1:30 PM Saturday April 21 at the Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Saratoga, California. Kristin was a loving and dedicated mother. She was an anchor for her children and a resource for many in her community. Her interests included crocheting, gardening, cooking, baking, poetry, music, hiking, bike riding, horseback riding, traveling, playing the piano, jokes and humor. Kristin moved to Saratoga, California at the age of 11 but she spent her most memorable years growing up in Ridgefield, Connecticut where she developed many of her lifelong loves. In Ridgefield, she played in a 200 acre wood behind her home, skated on a frozen neighborhood pond, learned to crochet from her grandmother, and learned to play the piano for which she had a natural talent. Kristin's working career varied with her interests, and her many abilities allowed her to excel in project management roles. Kristin worked in tech companies such as Apple and Seagate, publishing companies including Addison Wesley, and an investment banking firm, Franklin Templeton. After starting her family, Kristin changed careers to become a full time mother focused on her family and being a member of her community. She gave her time to charities, where she crocheted scarves for Special Olympics athletes, participated in the Valley Churches United Missions Christmas for Kids Effort, and served up breakfast for the kids at Boulder Creek Elementary school, as well as being a regular contributor in and around her children's school. Born Kristin Tracy Fladager, Kristin married John Murata in 1999 in Los Gatos, California, and moved to Boulder Creek with her husband and one year old child in 2002. After moving to Boulder Creek, as a first time mom with a young child, Kristin began a Yahoo group called "The Boulder Creek Walking Moms." Kristin had a passion for helping moms and families connect in support of one another, and her vision and flair for organization fostered the local town and online group to rapidly gain members. The group grew to become "The Boulder Creek Family Network," which in April of 2012, boasted over 300 members and their families. Today, the group continues to welcome new families moving to the area and is an active participant in community events. Kristin Murata's final weeks were spent at home, surrounded by family and friends. Her life was cut short by melanoma cancer but she touched many through the compassion and joy she found each day in her children, family, friends, and the shores, wooded hills, and mountains of California where she lived. In her fight with cancer, Kristin shared her courage and hope and reminded us all of the preciousness of life. Kristin is survived by her loving husband John Murata; son Kai; daughter Colleen; parents Per-Arne and Josephine Fladager; sisters Karol Gardner, Kaaren Fladager and brother Kyle. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Kristin Murata may be made to: Valley Churches United Missions P.O. Box 367 Ben Lomond, CA 95005.