Kristina Cuthbert Stuart

Fitchburg - Kristina Cuthbert Stuart, mother of two and the light of all around her, lost her long and valiant battle with brain cancer on Wednesday, July 30, 2008, the evening before her 35th birthday.  She was a brilliant and accomplished woman adored by everyone who knew her.    Kristina was born at Madison General on July 31, 1973.  She graduated from Eastside High School in Gainesville, Florida in 1991 where she excelled in academics and was captain and mvp of the soccer team.  She received her Bachelor of Arts in French & Political Science from the University of Wisconsin--Madison in 1995.  Kristina received her Master of Arts in Public Affairs with honors from the University of Florida in 1998.  She worked at the Department of Health & Family Services from 1998 to 2006 as the children's long term support program & policy manager for Birth to 3, autism and childhood disabilities services.  Her colleagues remember her as a champion for young children and families.   Kristina and her husband Todd, executive director of the Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group, married in 1999 and have lived in Fitchburg since 2002.  By any measure they have had a perfect marriage.  They have two beautiful, intelligent, and healthy young boys. Erik, turning 5 in December, wants to be a farmer and ride a John Deere tractor someday; he calls Mommy ""flower.""  Christian is now two years old and already has a vocabulary that reflects his mother and her language skills.   Her associations both past and present include: Pi Beta Phi sorority, Wisconsin Women's Council, PEO, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, G-3, neighborhood Bunko, and several book clubs.  There are many other groups almost too numerous to mention as Kristina was a shining star and loved by all.    Kristina loved her books and literature, especially Jane Austen.  Her reading tastes were eclectic and very prolific.  As a girl, she would sometimes read perched on mountain of books.  She also donated her personal library to Barneveld after the tornado in 1984.  Other passions (outside of her family) included travel, languages, Canasta, crosswords, and conversation.   Our angel will be missed for the vivacity, charm, and compassion she brought to our lives.  Kristina is survived by her husband, Todd Stuart; her sons, Erik & Christian; her brother, Scott of New York; her parents, Bruce & Marjorie Cuthbert of Maplewood, Minnesota; and her maternal grandmother, Dorothy Mathison of Dodgeville.   A visitation will be held Friday, Aug 8, 2008 from 4:30 pm -- 7:30 pm at CRESS FUNERAL HOME, 3610 Speedway Road, Madison.  The funeral service will be held Saturday, August 9, 2008 at 12:00 noon at GOOD SHEPHERD LUTHERAN CHURCH, 5701 Raymond Road, Madison.  The church nursery will be open for child care, and a light luncheon will follow the service.  A private family burial will be held later at the Oak Hall Cemetery in Fitchburg.