Not sure how many of you know who this is, but she kept track of the sea turtles ... nests, etc. Her contract expired Nov. 22 and she went home to Delaware for awhile. She passed away on Tuesday. Her name was Kirsten. I think SurferGirl knew her. She was very young and passed in her sleep. They think it might have been heart failure. Very sad.

Seadog knew who she was, too. I believe she presented a program the day after the forum party over at the spaceship house on Pensacola Beach. Very sad.

very sad

KIRSTEN DAHLEN


Kirsten Dahlen

Kirsten Dahlen, 38, passed away unexpectedly on December 9, 2008 at her mother's home in Hockessin. She died peacefully in her sleep.

Kirsten was a marine biologist, environmental educator, author, photographer and intrepid traveler who was always seeking new adventures. Her writing echoes the many paths she walked, from the Head Hunters Trail in Malaysian Borneo to the white sands of Antigua's 365 beaches. While she called the US home, her work made it hard to predict where she actually was. Kirsten grew up in Hockessin, DE graduating from Ursuline Academy and then Goucher College in Townsend, MD. Kirsten spent 15 years working with sea turtles in the Caribbean, Latin America, South East Asia and the United States. Kirsten has worked on world-renowned sea turtle nesting studies in Jumby Bay, Antigua and Little Cumberland Island, Georgia, USA. She worked with communities worldwide to develop sea turtle friendly beach practices and educational outreach programs. Kirsten also worked with industry, lending her experience in attempts to mitigate harmful effects on the marine environment. Through this work she was asked to contribute to the clean up efforts at the World Trade Center in September 2001. Her lifelong passion for the sea is shared with all in her recent works "Wrong Way Peach Fuzz: A Turtle Tale" and "Peach Fuzz: The Early Years", in addition to her photography, essay collections and blogs.

She is preceded in death by her father, Dr. Rolf J. Dahlen. She is survived by her mother, Mary Carr Meunier Dahlen of Hockessin; her brother, Peter Rolf Dahlen of Stockholm, his wife Helene and son Sebastian; sister, Meghan Dahlen Freeland of Hillsborough, NC, husband Tom and son Gabriel; and brother, Sean Dahlen, who like his sister calls the world home.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 13 at St. Catherine of Siena Church, 2501 Centerville Road, Wilmington, DE. Doors will open to visit family at 10am followed by Mass at 11am. Burial services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you visit Kirsten's website for current information on donations in her memory: aturtletale.blogspot.com.

www.mealeyfuneralhomes.com

302-652-5913

How incredibly sad! I read her blog through Barrier Island Girl.....what a horrific loss and so young!!

She has left quiet a legacy behind.....condolences to her friends and family.

yes, very shocking and sad!

i often read her blog, too. my prayers are with her family and friends.

How very sad.

You are correct, EBB.

Seadog, Silver and I attended that Sea Turtle information seminar the Sunday after the forum party We were hosted by Martian and her entire family, and enjoyed Kirsten's presentation along with some other guest. It was an entertaining and educational Sunday afternoon. I took
pictures I will post them here later.

Receiving this news today was indeed very, very sad Kirsten was a lovely girl, bright and vivacious. I am sure she will be sorely missed by many friends, acquaintances, co-workers and of course, her family

I have to say, I am very shocked and saddened about Kristen's passing. She was such a wonderful, dedicated person.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all the lives she has touched.

I used to read her blog and her pictures were wonderful, I use a lot of them for wallpapers.