Kristin Ravetz died peacefully in her home on the morning of March 31, 2010, surrounded by her family. She died as she lived: quietly, with courage and grace and dignity.

During her long illness, her home was filled with flowers and cards wishing her well. She was amazed at the outpouring of support and appreciation and love that she received from friends and acquaintances and former co-workers. It was an unexpected but wonderful gift.

Kristin led a wandering life while growing up, as part of a military family, and then for a while after her marriage to Ted Ravetz. That ended when she found the place of her dreams on Whidbey Island. Together, they turned an old log house into a beautiful home and a field of blackberries into a park. She loved foliage even more than flowers and planted trees and shrubs and native plants of all kinds. In her heart, she was a vegetable gardener, and every year harvested more food than her family could eat. So she gave the extra away. She loved to give things to people.

Kristin was one of the earliest instructors when Skagit Valley College opened its center on the South End. It was a small place, and she was the instructor of many skills. She taught history — in which she had a master’s degree — but also English and anthropology and even taught GED. It was a special pleasure to Kristin to help adults earn the equivalent of the high school degree they had never managed to get.

Of all her jobs, the one that Kristin loved the most was as the first on-site ranger when Ebey’s Landing became a National Historical Preserve. She loved the preserve, and enjoyed writing and telling people about it. It remained one of her favorite places, and the bluff overlooking Perego’s Lagoon was the walk she would return to over and over for as long as she was able.

Kristin was an active member of the South Whidbey community. She was an early member of the Whidbey Camano Land Trust, helping to turn the dream of preserving our natural heritage into the reality that it is becoming today. She recently received special mention as someone who “helped secure many of the land trust’s early conservation easements.” And an avid gardener, she served for several years on the board of the Whidbey Island Garden Tour.

Kristin’s special love was for her family: Her husband, Ted; her daughter Jessica and son-in-law Sam; her son Jeremy and daughter-in-law Jenni, and her special friend, Ben Hansen, who was to her “her second son.” And, the delight of her life, her granddaughter Ezze. Her greatest regret was that she would not see Ezze grow up, and would miss the birth of her second grandchild that Jeremy and Jenni are expecting.

Memorials in Kristin’s name may be made to Home Health Care and Hospice of Whidbey General Hospital, or to Enso House.