Kirsten B. Gagnon

Kirsten Bernadette Gagnon went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Thursday, November 20, 2025, after a 2 year long battle with pancreatic cancer. She was peacefully ushered in to the arms of Jesus while in her home with her loving family by her side. Born on March 20, 1967, Kirsten packed her 58 years of life full of adventure and love. Her birthday being the first day of Spring was truly befitting of such a bright and caring woman.
Kirsten (then Jacobson) was born in rural Blairstown, New Jersey, and spent her childhood there with her mother, father, and brother Gus. The rural area didn't stop her from living what can only be described as the American dream. She was a Brownie, a cheerleader, a gymnast, a dancer; she played several instruments and was in the marching band. If she put her mind to it, she excelled at it, no matter the genre. From calligraphy, crocheting, and making gingerbread sculptures, to managing business accounts, and even changing a tire, there was truly nothing she could not do. With the directional skills of a hawk, the brain of a genius, and a heart of gold, Kirsten was truly a gem, a rose among the thorns, a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.
She attended The King's College in Briarcliff Manor, New York, where she received a bachelor's degree in elementary education. she never used her degree to teach in a school, but that is because the Lord was saving her talents and training to educate her four children. She ran a tight ship and made sure they were well prepared to enter college, even more so than the average public school student.
In 1996, Kirsten met the love of her life, Bill Gagnon, at Alarm Guard where they both worked. They married and had three children, Lauren, August, and Amanda, before Kirsten realized her need for a local church home for her and her family to grow in. She found Emmanuel Baptist Church and quickly realized that this was the place the Lord wanted them. Not wanting her to go alone, Bill began attending along with her and realized his need for Christ. He endlessly thanks God for putting Kirsten in his life, who in part, through God's Word, showed him his need for the Savior Jesus Christ. They then decided to "fill their quiver" full of children, and had Sophia and Sabrina. They raised their children with an eye on Heaven, and she is now up there waiting for them to join her. She was the Godly, submissive woman that she needed to be, and allowed her husband to be the Godly leader that he needed to be. The Lord allowed them to participate in the start of Bible Baptist Church in Cromwell, CT, where she faithfully served as a founding church member. She taught Sunday School, made lunch every Sunday, and was the primary pianist. She did all this, and more, even during her battle with cancer. She truly had a testimony of serving the Lord right up until the very end.
If you ask anyone who knew her, they would all unanimously tell you that she was the most selfless person they knew. She lived for the Lord and her family. Her life verse was Philippians 4:11 which states "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." That perfectly summarizes her outlook on life. No matter what life threw at her, even down to debilitating cancer, she was content and even found the silver lining of it all. She earnestly prayed that the Lord would use her illness to touch the lives of everyone who knew her, whether to lead others to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, or to draw other saints closer to God.
She is predeceased by her father and mother Jay Warren and Bernadette Dorothea (Balogh) Jacobson, her brother August Ivern Jacobson, and her daughter Lauren Beth Gagnon, who she has now been able to reunite with up in Glory, along with several dear friends in Christ. She is survived by her husband William Joseph Gagnon, and their four children, August Ryan, Amanda Renee (Reeves), Sophia Grace, and Sabrina Michelle, all of whom look forward to meeting her again in Paradise. Far too often when people die, we try to forget their mistakes and remember only their good attributes. But even in life, Kirsten was known as an honored and beloved mother, a cherished and adored wife, and a caring and compassionate friend. She truly led by example, and this is exactly how she will be remembered into eternity.
"For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing." II Timothy 4:6-8
A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, (November 28), at the Sheehan Hilborn Breen Funeral Home, 1084 New Britain Avenue, West Hartford, immediately followed by a Graveside Service at West Meadow Cemetery, 679 Willard Avenue, Newington. Afterward, a Celebration Luncheon will be held at Casa Mia on the Green, 600 Cold Spring Rd., Rocky Hill. Online condolences may be made at www.SheehanHilbornBreen.com