It is with deep sorrow that we remember Kristen Macdonald Stablein of Chicago, a fierce advocate, beloved friend, and deeply faithful woman whose passing has left family, friends, and the Ocular Melanoma community grieving an immeasurable loss.
Kristen was widely known not only for her courage in facing illness, but for the way she used her journey to uplift and support others walking similar paths. She became a guiding light within the ocular melanoma community, offering encouragement, knowledge, and compassion to patients and families navigating some of life’s most difficult diagnoses.
Through her involvement in support groups, fundraising efforts, and advocacy work, Kristen inspired many. She played a leading role in initiatives such as A Cure In Sight, including its Step for Sight campaigns, where she helped raise awareness and hope under her team name, “KMac Fights Back.” Her commitment to others remained steady even during her own treatments.
Beyond her advocacy, Kristen was a talented professional in media production and carried a heartfelt dream of writing children’s books to help families understand serious illness in compassionate and accessible ways. She was creative, intelligent, and deeply thoughtful, always seeking ways to bring light into difficult spaces.
Kristen was also a woman of strong faith, grounded in hope and love. She cherished her husband Kyle, her family, and her friends, and often expressed gratitude for the care and support she received throughout her journey. Her strength, honesty, and openness about her faith brought comfort to many.
In her final days, Kristen remained focused not on herself, but on the people she loved and the gratitude she felt for those who supported her care. She faced her journey with peace and hope, holding firmly to her beliefs and the promise of reunion beyond this life.
Those who knew Kristen describe her as a “lamplighter”—someone who brought warmth, guidance, and light into even the darkest moments. Her impact is lasting, her legacy profound, and her memory deeply treasured.
May Kristen Macdonald Stablein rest in peace. She will be forever loved, deeply missed, and always remembered.