Kristin Erika Haskins

Barre, VT - Kristin Erika Haskins, 75, passed away peacefully on the evening of July 30 Holding the hands of her Sons, Walter Ward Jr. and Del Haskins who cared for her as she fought valiantly and with grace her battle against dementia and late onset Alzheimer's .

Born May 30, 1950, in Winthrop, Massachusetts, she moved to Barre with her family in 1957. The daughter of Sheldon and Bonnie Meaker, Kristin was the youngest of three children and a 1968 graduate of Spaulding High School. She was a shy artistic and bright student, involved in the yearbook club, nationally selected poet in the annual yearly publication "Young America Sings". Also, HUGE Beatles fan. Ringo was her favorite. Poetry, music and art were always close to Kristin's heart. Also tater tots.

After graduating from Spaulding in 1968 Kristin worked at the Miss Montpelier Diner, Sprague Electric, and for many years at Capital City Press as a proofreader. Nearing Retirement she worked at the Humane Society caring for animals and fostering kittens. She loved animals so much.

She wrote thousands of poems and created amazing art all of her days. She surrounded herself in collages, the art of her family, books, and whimsical plastic flowers and wind chimes and hyper detailed drawings. She gave art away freely and in loving gifts to her friends and family. Kristin instilled in her children the confidence to never doubt their gifts and to always look for rainbows and four-leaf clovers, to love the vulnerable, to She loved stories, the escape of them, and always curled up on a couch with a cat and Steinbeck. Kristin was stardust, glitter, glow in the dark paint, Egyptian art, universes, clovers, old trees in deep blue sunsets and fireflies.

Those who knew her were always charmed by her loving smile, her humor moxie and immense presence all packed in a tiny frame. Even as her memory worsened and mobility weakened she always greeted you with a smile and twinkle of recognition of who you were and that you were welcome in the hearth of her love.

Kristin was predeceased by her beloved daughter, Tiki Amber Meaker Ward (2022); her first husband, Walter Ward (2023); her brother, Kip Meeker; and her parents, Sheldon and Bonnie Meaker.

She is survived by her sons, Walter Ward Jr. and Del Haskins, both of Barre; her grandchildren, Kelman and Evie Pirie; her sister, Diane Williams, and brother-in-law, Alan Williams; and her second husband, Delnar Haskins.

There will be no calling hours. A small ceremony will be announced at a later date. Her family only asks that you find the beauty in simple things, that you look for rainbows and four leaf clovers and to never take your memory for granted.

A special Kristin hug goes out to home health and hospice for your compassion and unending support to Kristin and her sons.