Southport Resident, A Westport School Teacher, Dies At 47

FAIRFIELD, CT — Kristin Ryan Beirne, a Southport resident and longtime Westport school teacher, died earlier this month at the age of 47, just weeks before classes begin for the year.

Beirne, a Norwalk native who grew up in Westport, was a beloved teacher at Bedford Middle School, and according to her obituary, she passed away after a courageous battle against an undisclosed illness.

"Over her 20+ year career at Bedford Middle School, she touched countless lives through her work in the classroom and interscholastic and intramural coaching, as well as her years of involvement with the Westport Soccer Association," the obituary reads.

She was married to Christopher Beirne, and the couple have two children, daughter, Alexandra, and son, Grayson. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help her husband and children, and as of Monday, more than $25,000 has been raised.

"I’ve created this GoFundMe to honor Kristin’s legacy and to support her and Chris’s greatest joy and priority: their children, Alexandra and Grayson," wrote Adam Levy. "Your generous donations will be used to fund their future educational needs—something Kristin cared deeply about as both a mother and an educator."

A standout soccer player, Beirne graduated from Staples High School in 1996, and went on to attend the College of William & Mary, where she was inducted into the school's Athletics Hall of Fame for soccer.

In 2015, Beirne was also inducted into the Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

As fierce and competitive as she could be on the field, Beirne will also be remembered for her "kind, compassionate, caring soul" off of the pitch.

"She was a devoted mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend who loved to do anything active," the obituary reads. "Kristin particularly enjoyed summer days at Longshore Club Park, Compo and Southport beaches, and winter days ice skating and skiing at Mohawk and Killington Mountain Resorts. Being active as a family strengthened their bond."

In addition to her husband and children, Beirne is also survived by "her mother, Joan Ryan; her siblings, Kim (Bill) Constantino and Kellie (Paul) Ouimette; and many nieces and nephews."

Westport Schools Superintendent Thomas Scarice offered the following sentiments in a message to members of the school community:

Dear District Colleagues,

I am so saddened to share the heartbreaking news that BMS colleague, Kristin Beirne, passed away this past weekend at the age of 47. Kristin was revered as a dedicated and compassionate educator. In the face of prolonged illness, Kristin carried herself with grace and a quiet courage leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her.

Kristin is survived by her husband, Chris, and their two precious children, Alexandra (8) and Grayson (6).

A 1996 graduate of Staples High School, Kristin was a decorated soccer and basketball player and recipient of the prestigious Albie Loeffler Scholarship, awarded for academic excellence, athletic achievement, integrity, and strong family values. She went on to attend the College of William & Mary, where she played Division I soccer and earned All-Conference honors while setting a school record for most games played (93, with 89 starts).

Kristin began teaching Physical Education at Bedford Middle School in August 2002. She has served for over 20 years, impacting the lives of countless students and colleagues. She was a pillar of the PE program, the intramural program, and the interscholastic sports program as a coach. Her contributions to athletics were recognized in 2015 when she was inducted into the Connecticut Girls Soccer Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Please keep her children and family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

Services were held for Beirne on Sunday at Lesko Funeral Home and St. Pius X Church, both in Fairfield.

In lieu of flowers, the Beirne family requests that donations are made to help "others via blood and platelet donations to the American Red Cross and/or registry on the NMDP list for bone marrow donation."