It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved cofounder, president, and guiding light, Kristin Heffington, who passed away on October 21, 2026.

 

Kristin was truly the heart and soul of the St. Louis Youth Hockey Foundation. For many years, her visionary leadership, boundless energy, and fierce determination shaped our mission. She believed deeply in the power of sports to change lives, dedicated to ensuring that youth hockey in the St. Louis area was accessible to everyone, especially those less fortunate.

 

Her life was defined by an extraordinary spirit of generosity and an unwavering strength. Beyond her transformative work with our foundation, Kristin poured her massive heart into the community as a dedicated hockey and volleyball mom, and as a beloved coach for the St. Louis Rockets Challenger Baseball team, bringing joy and sportsmanship to children with disabilities.

 

Kristin possessed a rare kind of kindness. On our best days, she was the first to celebrate our happiness with her whole heart. On our worst days, her unconditional care, resilience, and ever-present humor provided comfort and inspired us to look forward to tomorrow.

 

Though we will miss her every single day, Kristin’s vibrant energy and enthusiasm live on. We see her spark in our young players, our volunteers, and the entire local hockey community she loved so dearly.