SHELBURNE — Kristina Mercedes Oxholm, 60, passed away on May 8, 2021, in Canton, N.Y.
Kristy was born March 22, 1961, in Randolph, Vt., to Thelma K. (Herrin) Oxholm and John M. Oxholm. After living briefly in Denver, Colo., she spent the rest of her life in Vermont. She graduated from Vergennes Union High School in 1979. After receiving her Associates Degree from Champlain College in 1981, she went on to receive a Bachelor’s Degree from Culver-Stockton College in 1983.
Throughout her life, she had many interests, including theater, skiing, scuba diving, and traveling. Kristy dedicated a significant part of her life to public service. She served as a page in the Vermont state legislature and volunteered on the Bolton Valley Ski Patrol as a teenager. She volunteered for the Charlotte Rescue Squad as an Emergency Medical Technician, and served on the Vermont State Hazardous Materials Response Team. She was a dispatcher for multiple area police departments, worked at General Electric, Vermont Gas, and most recently at Michels Corporation, as a Health, Safety and Environment Coordinator.
One of the most important parts of Kristy’s life was her dedication to being a firefighter. She volunteered at both the Charlotte and Shelburne Fire Departments, and served as the Vermont State Firefighters’ Association President from 2008 to 2010. She was an instructor for the Vermont State Fire Academy and truly loved working with her students there.
Kristy had so much love for her family and friends, and would always go out of her way to be there for others. She loved making Christmas and birthdays magical for her nieces and nephew.
Kristy is predeceased by her father, John Oxholm. She is survived by her mother, Kitty Oxholm of Vergennes; her brother, Scot Oxholm and his wife Rachel of Arlington, Mass., and their daughter Margot; and her brother Steve Oxholm and his wife Karen of Mequon, Wis., and their children, Johanna, Trevor and Jacquelyn. Kristy was close to her Aunt Cindi and Uncle Fred Herrin of Pigeon, Mich., and their children Ryan and Tyler as well as many, many friends, especially the Fisher family.
A memorial service for Kristy will be held on Friday May 14, at 2 p.m., at Shelburne Field House at 166 Athletic Drive in Shelburne, with parking and transportation to the service available from the Shelburne Museum. Burial will follow at Prospect Cemetery in Vergennes. COVID protocols will be in place, with space for social distancing, and we ask that attendees take proper precautions, according to CDC guidelines.
A fund is being established in Kristy’s name to recognize exemplary Vermont Fire Service students. Donations to this fund can be made to Vermont State Firefighters Association, c/o Robert Schlachter, VSFA Treasurer, 10 Rutland St., Rutland VT 05701. Alternatively, since Kristy loved her cats, donations may be made in her name to Homeward Bound, Addison County’s Human Society, 236 Boardman St., Middlebury, VT 05753.◊