Kirstin was born Kirstin Faye DeClerck in Rochester, NY by her mother Uta (Thieme) DeClerck. She is preceded in death by her father James F. DeClerck. Kirstin also leaves behind her younger sister Genevieve, “Gina” (h Hugh), and many brothers and sisters in-law, nephews and nieces.
Kirstin grew up in the foothills of San Francisco Bay Area as “Kiki”. Her family moved to the Chicago suburbs in 8th grade, where Kiki ran track and swam competitively and graduated from high school in the spring of 1987. Later that fall, Kirstin attended her father’s alma mater John Carroll University in Cleveland Ohio. Kirstin studied business and communications. She was a member of a sorority and a co-ed frority ski club. It was at JCU where Kirstin was pursued by the love of her life, Matthew G. Miller. A blind date with Matt was orchestrated early in her sophomore year. The two fell passionately in love and married March 11, 1995.
After working various jobs since high school, Kirstin began what God had for her ultimate career: A stay-at-home mom raising a family. Mason James (w Jordan Lynn) was born in 1998. Zachary Thomas (w Alexandra, granddaughter Westie) followed 17 months later. Corrinne Julianne (fiancé Damon) was gifted by the Lord to the family in 2003.
Kirstin began home-schooling her children when it was quite uncommon. Her family moved to Bethel Park in 2006. She worked diligently at this and attended a home-schooling co-op with her children twice a month for a few years. Kirstin then began her own co-op in the south hills for other home-schooling families. Kirstin also volunteered and involved the kids in 4-H and Boy Scouts. Kiki loved the summer heat, gardening, walking, and tanning. Her vacations with her family were always cherished in the sun at her grandfather’s cottage at Lake Canandaigua, NY. The sand and beach were also favorites where she could enjoy one of her greatest hobbies of all, reading.
When the kids were a little older, God called on Kirstin to fill a Youth Pastor position at Christ United Methodist Church. Kirstin’s faith journey began when she was saved as a teenager in Young Life. That experience and raising a family with Matt, gave Kirstin the gift of helping other families, while providing benefits to her own family, but most importantly spread the Word of God.
Kirstin’s faith in Jesus never stopped expanding, even while fighting cancer to her last breath. The number of lives she impacted is beyond measure. Christ’s love is beyond measure. She will be remembered by her friends and family as Kiki, Kirstin, Mom, and Kiki again: grandmother.