We are sad to announce our writer Kirsten M. Gehlbach has passed away on March 24, 2017. Kirsten was a valued member of our staff writing for us for many years and we will miss her spice for life and pure joy of writing about the Upper Valley.

This was written about her in the Upper Valley News:

She is survived by her son, Parker C. Hatch (Libby Harrison) of South Royalton, Vt., her companion, Chuck Surat of Norwich, her mother and father; stepfather, Lou Gehlbach of St Johnsbury, and several stepsisters.

Kirsten was a graduate of St. Johnsbury Academy and the University of Vermont. A determined businesswoman, Kirsten founded Results Marketing in 1989. “Make It Happen!” was her life’s motto. Her company provided marketing communications for a variety of clients in the region. Kirsten was also a freelance writer for many publications. Active in community affairs, Kirsten served on the boards of the CCBA and the AVA Gallery, she volunteered and participated in the Prouty, and donated her time and creativity to many nonprofit organizations.

A memorial service will be held this summer in celebration of her life. Donations in Kirsten's memory may be made to your favorite charity.

“Birth and death are only a door through which we go in and out. Birth and death are only a game of hide-and-seek. So smile to me and take my hand and wave good-bye. Tomorrow we shall meet again or even before. We shall always be meeting again at the true source, always meeting again on the myriad paths of life.”— Thích Nhất Hạnh

Thank you Kirsten for all of your dedicated work. You will be missed.