Krista Abear

Wolfeboro, NH 

Krista Abear was born in Plymouth, New Hampshire on May 28, 1955 and succumbed to the COVID-19 virus on Thursday, December 9, 2021.  Krista grew up in Ashland, New Hampshire and was still telling stories about her days on Thompson Street throughout the pandemic.  She is survived by her wife, Carolyn Wise, her brothers Tegan (Karen) and Marc (Patty) and her sister, Joy (Rob).  They were predeceased by their father, Ronald, and mother, Marcelle.  As a singing and game-playing auntie in the following in Mary Poppins, she is survived by 13 nieces and nephews, plus the very special 4 “Allen Boys”.  She rocked and sang to every one she could get her hands on.  Dear to her heart, always, will be Sharon Paquette and Lynn Allen, loving in-laws of Monique, Marc, Toni, Dee, and aunts, uncles and cousins o’er hill and dale. 

Speaking of singing, Krista was usually singing or humming when she wasn’t talking.  She had a beautiful singing voice which she almost took to Harvard after graduating from Ashland High School.  But, since she had always wanted to be a teacher, she earned her Bachler’s degree from Keene State, gathered graduate credits from Plymouth State College and, later finished her Master’s degree from Walden University. 

Krista’s first career passion was in the field of special education, which she applied to her work at Spaulding Youth Center, Brewster Academy, Barnstead Elementary and Kingswood Regional Middle School.  Loving teaching at each grade level, Krista found her perfect fit at the middle level where every student was her “favorite” and changing voices of eighth grade boys became another form of favorite music. As she taught 8th grade US History, the characters of the Revolutionary and Civil Wars came alive.  Where else would beg to found guilty in a Puritan Court?  Her students knew she loved her subject area and more importantly, they knew she loved them. 

Woven into the fabric of her life was Krista’s love of sports.  She was a star athlete until chronic arthritis turned her into a coach of basketball and soccer.  And, oh yes, her students knew not to admit to being Yankee fans.  As a matter of fact, a thrill just months before her death was getting on a seat on the Green Monster. 

Krista was a founder of the New Hampshire Association of Middle Level Educators and the first teacher to serve as President of the New England League of Middle Schools and, in reti4ment was serving on the Governor Wentworth Regional School District School Board.  She was a student advocate, educational leader and master teacher. 

There will be a celebration of life in the spring.  Meanwhile, make room Gabriele.  She also played the trumpet.