Kaitlin Mackenzie Stern passed away peacefully on February 4, 2015, at Thomas Jefferson Hospital, surrounded by the things she loved most, her family, her friends, her American girl dolls and favorite stuffed animals.

Kaitlin was born on April 10th 1989 in Philadelphia to Arthur and Mary Anne Stern and was a much loved sister to Jared, Ashley and Connor. She lived in Churchville and graduated from Council Rock South in 2008.

Kaitlin had a spirit that left a lasting impression on everyone. She was lucky enough to touch many people throughout her life through Special Olympics, Miracle League and Athletes Helping Athletes. She worked at Council Rock North and South in the cafeteria alongside some of her closest friends. She spent eight incredible years working at Sesame Place, surrounded by her favorite characters Elmo and Zoe and the wonderful, caring people she worked with; her Sesame Place Family.

But Kaitlin was so much more than the activities and the jobs that she worked. She engaged in conversation with almost everyone she met. She was interested in who you were, what you did, where you lived. She wanted to know about your family. She had an innate ability to remember everything about a person and made people feel so special by being near her.

With her laugh, sense of humor and sassy personality she kept us all on our toes and young at heart. It is hard to let such a bright light and person go, but we are so thankful for the 25 years we got to spend with Kaitlin; we had so much fun with her.

Kaitlin is survived by her parents Arthur and Mary Anne; siblings Jared, Ashley, and Connor; grandmothers Helen Cooney and Anita Rio; Jessica Mulder (her newest sister and Jared’s fiancé), many loving aunts, uncles, cousins, her countless friends and Oscar, Louie and Penny her furry friends that helped her through her journey.

We would like to thank all of the loving Nurses, Doctors and Support Staff that cared for Kaitlin at Fox Cancer Center, Temple BMT Unit. Most importantly, we want to thank the wonderful compassionate people at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital BMT Unit. We could not have gotten through the last thirteen months without your support, guidance and care.

Kaitlin’s family will receive condolences at celebration of her Life on Tuesday evening February 10, 2015 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Joseph A. Fluehr III Funeral Home 800 Newtown-Richboro Rd. (at Holland Rd.) Richboro. Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Kaitlin’s honor to Athletes Helping Athletes. Attn: Rick Leonetti, AHA, PO Box 172, Richboro, PA 18954. Or Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, at The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Donor Services P.O. Box 4072 Pittsfield, MA 01202 (https://donate.lls.org/lls/donate), an organization that’s mission is helping patients with blood cancers live better, longer lives.