Remembering Kris Petterson - Community Fundraiser

On Friday 15th October, the world lost one of the most kindhearted, generous and loving souls - our sister Kris Petterson. She was the embodiment of everything good in this world, lighting up the lives and hearts of everyone she met, finding the beauty in all that was around her. Kris was one of the rarest rays of sunshine that we hear about and can only hope to have in our lives. Although her time with us in this life has come to an end, the warmth of her love remains in our hearts.

 

 

Kris was extremely passionate about the environment, teaching many of us the power of being connected and present in the nature around us, to never take any of it for granted. This passion was evident in her studies, where she was undertaking a PhD in Plant & Microbial Ecology at Texas Tech University. She was on schedule to become Dr Kris Petterson after completing her research - her last beautiful gift to mother earth. Kris was a beloved lecturer, researcher, dear friend, daughter and so much more than words can express.

 

 

 

In 2020, Kris won Best Poster Presentation in the TPCC Student Presentation Her poster titled "Endofungal bacteria isolated from mycorrhizal fungi in a North American terrestrial orchid," to current knowledge – the first report of isolation of endofungal bacteria from orchid mycorrhizal fungi. She was truly doing groundbreaking work.

 

To honour the life of our extraordinary friend and with the blessing of Kris' parents, Lars and Marion, we are fundraising money to go to the 'Time 4 Real Science ' organisation in Brevard, North Carolina (USA), an organisation close to her heart.

 

"This is the program that ignited Kris’ passion for Science. It is funded by donations and serves young people in Brevard. These teens become so excited and knowledgeable about their research. Many go on to place in National and International Science fairs/competitions." - Lars Petterson, Kris' father.

 

 

Above is a picture of Kris (pictured on the far right), as an inductee on the programme back in high school.

 

 

Please watch the video above to see just how much this programme meant to Kris - we are so thankful to have a video of her, especially one that captures just how fiercely passionate she was about her research and ecology.

 

I'd like to leave you with some words that she wrote and shared with us in September, a dedication to the universe, in which she has returned:

 

"Absolutely every fiber of this universe is inextricably connected. The timing, commonality of content, and even cycles of discoveries, adaptations, and innovation in science and art across the globe is our constant reminder of this. We all share hard work and grit, common goals, grief, dreams, fears, awe, hope, appreciation and fleeting emotions at one time or another.

 

I am grateful to listen to your stories, hear your journey, know so very little in the grand scheme but understand a bit more clearly how we all link and can respect, teach, learn from and empower one another to mitigate uncertainty and highly complex chaos and at times suffering.

 

We have a grand challenge of discerning how we can best collaboratively learn from and honor the past, and act as dynamic communities to problem shoot and create times and space for connection.

 

Thank you for your perspective and your dedication to this collective growth and navigation." - Kris Petterson

She left the world many gifts, one was her love of joyful music - please enjoy her Spotify playlist 'Sunrise Hums ' that she made.

Our Boogie Mama xxx

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*For accountability: This fundraiser was set up by her friend Sofia Akel, based in the UK. Every penny will be donated to the Time 4 Real Science organisation, minus the platform fees that 'gofundme' automatically deduct.