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Kristen Waller Obituary
Kristen Tomford Waller. Daughter of Rick Tomford. Passed away the night of January 18th surrounded by family and friends following a brief, harrowing, and valiant battle with ovarian cancer. Born in Rockville Center, NY on July 23rd, 1969, she was raised in northern Virginia. It was in these years that she excelled as a gifted athlete and student. Kristen graduated from the United States Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1991, where she captained the women's basketball team. Kristen served seven years in the US Navy attaining the rank of Lieutenant. Following her military service, she went to work for Verizon and rose to the rank of executive director before her passing.
Kristen lived life to the fullest. She traveled the world seeking adventure, whether it was sky diving, zip-lining, or bungee jumping. She ran several marathons in places as distant as Dublin and Alaska. Always looking for a challenge, she completed a Half Iron Man Triathlon in 2012. She loved to watch all sports especially the Midshipman of Navy. The Army-Navy football game was always a yearly highlight, where she was able to meet classmates from the Academy. She loved college wrestling and went to the NCAA Wrestling Championships with her father, uncles Rob and Ron, as well as her beloved cousin Bret nearly every March.
Kristen will be missed and mourned by many co-workers and friends, all of whom adored her. She leaves behind her father Rick Tomford and his wife Ruth of Avon, CT, her step-brother LT. Brian Lefler (currently serving on the USS New Mexico), her brother Scott Tomford of Brooklyn, NY, her sister Lauren Sanderson and her husband Austin and their daughter Kendall of Westminster, MA, and her sister Dana Tomford of Avon, CT. She also leaves behind her uncle Dr. Robert Tomford (wife Cathy Benedict), who provided her with expert medical guidance and encouragement throughout her illness, her uncle Ron Tomford (wife Nancy) and her cousins Bret, Megan and Michael. Her best friend, Melissa Magos of Oxnard, CA was by her side nursing, encouraging and comforting Kristen during her entire illness. Kristen's family will be forever grateful for Melissa's faithfulness to Kristen in her time of need. Kristen also leaves behind her cherished boxer dog, Roxy, whom she admiringly rescued years ago.
Kristen inspired everyone she knew to enjoy life, to be fair, work hard, and persevere even in the face of adversity. She was the rare breed of person that you will always remember, no matter how briefly you interacted with her. At Kristen's request, there will be no funeral or memorial services, and her ashes will be spread to Glacier Bay, Alaska and Queenstown, New Zealand by her father.
Visit www.nardolillo.com for online condolences.
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Memories and Condolences
for Kristen Waller
Sponsored by the family.
Larry Rudloff
January 16, 2025
She was such an elegant Lady. I was honored to know her.
Diana DiSalvo
February 6, 2014
With deepest, deepest sympathy. Kristen was such a great, caring person. Thoughts and prayers for her family. God bless, Diana DiSalvo
Bob USNA 1994
February 6, 2014
I had the pleasure of knowing Kristen. She was a kind-hearted soul who will be missed greatly.
Kathy Player
February 3, 2014
I'm so sorry for your loss. I worked with Kristen in Boston and just found out about her passing. I wanted you to know she was always very supportive to me during the time we worked together and she will be missed a great deal. My prayers are with all of you during this difficult time. God Bless you Kristen.
Joanie Flavin
February 1, 2014
Out beyond ideas of right doing and wrong doing. There is a field. Ill meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too big to talk about. Ideas opinions even the word each other doesn't make sense. Ill meet you there....Rumi. I Willi miss that bright unique strong soul immensely. You were not like any other. Blessings to all in this grieving process. Extra light to Kristen's dad and Melissa for being loving and vigilant .. Your Selflessness will always be remembered
Tara USNA 1994
January 29, 2014
Kristen was an amazing mentor and friend. Both on the basketball court and dealing with day-to-day challenges, Kristen always knew how to offer solid advice and make whatever we were doing more fun. She is very deeply missed, yet with memories cherished.
Barbara Cotter
January 28, 2014
As a member of the community where Kristen was raised in northern Virginia and where in these years she excelled as a gifted athlete and student, I would just like to post that within this community many of her peers, teachers, staff and parents/adults who knew her have shared their deep sorrow at her passing. We keep her family and extended family in our thoughts as prayers at this time.
January 26, 2014
Kristen. Thank you.
Karen
January 24, 2014
I briefly worked for Kristen and she was amazing. I'm so sorry for your loss.
January 24, 2014
Kristen, you were everything I wished I could be, but couldn't. Much love and respect during my brief encounter with you. Rest well and prayers to your friends and family
Wendy Berg
January 23, 2014
No matter where we went we laughed some times until we cried. Until our next girls night on the other side rest easy my friend xo
Jenna Hausvik
January 23, 2014
Words can't describe how much we'll miss you Squirt!!!
Michelle Hough Snell
January 23, 2014
The right words escape me in how to describe how much I enjoyed Kristen and how much I will miss her. I met her at Bell Atlantic and have always admired her as she was amazing in her career with Verizon. I enjoyed her also through common friends outside of work as we spent time in Annapolis. Her quick wit, a game on TV in a bar, a couple beers and tons of laughs. I wish her family, friends and Roxie much love during this time of loss. She will be greatly missed.
John Pereira
January 22, 2014
I'm really going to miss you Kristen. You were like the sister I never had. So many good times. I always felt like I was a midshipmen again when I was with you. You left us way too soon.
Debbie Krongard
January 22, 2014
Wonderful Kristen...she was a joy and an inspiration and I was lucky to have been able to call her my friend during our four years together at the Naval Academy! Whether on the basketball court, in the classroom, or off the yard, Kristen knew how to work hard and play hard... But most of all Kristen was just a fun, genuine, person ... she spread her light to everyone around her. The world is a darker place for her loss. So many of us in the Naval Academy family will miss her -- with great love to her family and friends who cared for her to the end. Love, Debbie Krongard (Smetana - class of '91, Women's basketball teammate)
January 22, 2014
I was very fortunate to have known Kristen back in elementary, middle, and high school We played basketball together. She was an amazing athlete! She is one person I will never forget...sensitive, thoughtful,smart, fun, competetive, and the list goes on. Thoughts and prayers to her family.
Lawrence Rudloff
January 22, 2014
Dearest Friend and Lady
Lynelle Hope Seebold
January 22, 2014
There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about and ponder the impact you had on my professional and personal life. Your light will live on, Kristen, in all those you touched. Farewell beloved boss and mentor!
Wendy Prouty
January 22, 2014
My deepest sympathies to Kristen's loved ones. Kristen lived more in her 44 years than most live in a long lifetime. I feel fortunate to have known her. She will be deeply missed.
January 22, 2014
Our condolences to the Waller family. We also live in Narragansett; our son Brian graduated from USNA '91 same as Kristen. We lost the Marine Captain in a plane crash in 1996 and share your loss deeply.
Sincerely, Brian & Kathleen Hussey
January 22, 2014
Our condolences to the Waller family. We are also a Narragansett family; our son Brian graduated with Kristen at USNA '91, same class. We lost the Marine Captain in 1996 in a plane crash, so we deeply share your sorrow. Sincerely, Brian & Kathleen Hussey
Roger Young
January 22, 2014
Rest in peace Kristen, you will be missed.
Joanne Nesbitt
January 22, 2014
Our thoughts and prayers are with you! CT Women of Hope, CT
Becki Brady
January 22, 2014
Kristin's passing has saddened many. She will always be bigger and bolder than anyone I've ever known. I will forever miss you My Samurai warrior!!
January 22, 2014
I am so sorry for your loss. Kristen made such a postive impact on everyone she met. She treated every person with such a degree of kindness and equality and truly invested in peoples lives. She is one of a kind and I am fortunate to have known her for the past 13 years. My humble condolences
January 22, 2014
Rick,
So sorry to learn of your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.
James & Susan Ray
Jeff McNew
January 22, 2014
I had the pleasure of working with Kristen multiple times while working at Verizon. She was a wonderful person who was stern and fair and always worked tirelessly for the company. May she rest in peace and we'll keep your family in our thoughts/prayers during this difficult time.
Jeffrey Clare
January 22, 2014
She will be sorely missed. Her positive impact on my life is permanent. My condolences to all who loved her.
Candace Gartside
January 22, 2014
There will never be another Kristen, one of the strongest people I have ever met. I am so blessed that our paths crossed in her lifetime. A true inspiration in believing that you can do whatever you set your mind and to never be afraid to face your fears. I will keep her in my thoughts and prayers. Wishing peace to her family, friends and, of course, Roxy.
January 22, 2014
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family. Kristen will be missed.
Tom O'Brien
January 22, 2014
I will miss her, as i know many will. I worked with and for Kristen over the past 13 years and her passion for life and doing the right thing was always clear in every action, whether bold or subtle. Our world is better having had her company even for this short time.
January 22, 2014
An incredible friend, leader and lover of life. She lives within our hearts.
Ronna
January 22, 2014
This is a loving testament to a life well lived. Let us all remember "to be fair, work hard, and persevere."
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