Kristine L Greenwood

Dr. Kristine “Kris” Louise Lee Greenwood, Ph.D., 75, cherished mother and friend, passed away on July 18, 2023, after a year’s long battle with cancer. Her final days were peaceful, and she was surrounded by her family.

Kris was preceded in death by her parents Jens Bjarne and Roberta Lee and her beloved husband, Bruce Greenwood. She is survived by her daughter Jessica Martinsen (Jeff) and son Erik Greenwood, two sisters Debbie Cody (Ray) and Janice Richie (Gordon), and 5 grandchildren Jaye Kallan Greenwood, Lynnea Martinsen, Riley Greenwood, Julianna Martinsen and Marshall Greenwood.

Born and raised in Cliffside Park, New Jersey.  She attended Montclair State College where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech Pathology and met her husband, Bruce.  They were married in 1970 and moved to Huntington, West Virginia, where Bruce’s job as Marshall University’s Theater Technical Director took them.  Kris was an active member of the Huntington and Marshall University communities.  Kris worked for the United Way in her early years in Huntington; served as president of Marshall’s Faculty Wives Club for a short period; helped Bruce with tech work at Marshall’s Theater; and still made time to pursue and be awarded, a Master of Arts Degree in communication studies from Marshall.

In 1987, Kris began to pursue a teaching certificate.  However, following the sudden death of her husband, Bruce, on July 18, 1988, Kris changed course and decided to pursue her doctorate from Ohio University.  In 1992 she joined the faculty in the Communication Studies Department at Marshall and served as the coach for the Speech and Debate Team for many years.  She received her doctorate in Communication Studies in 1997.  Upon her retirement from Marshall, she had worked for 24 years; and, during that time she enjoyed working with all her students and colleagues; but, she did have a special place in her heart for her Speech and Debate students.

While Kris loved academia and the challenges of teaching and engaging students, her joy and purpose was her family.

Kris spent her summer and holiday breaks from the University visiting her children and grandchildren in New Jersey or Kentucky.  In her later years, she spent months at a time with her daughter and family in New Jersey.  Regardless of where she was, Kris spent her free time gardening, crocheting, QVC shopping or curled up with a good book.

Kris will be interred with her husband at Ridgelawn Cemetery in Huntington, West Virginia.  Internment services will be private.  A Celebration of Life event will be held in New Jersey on August 6, 2023, from 2:00 pm-5:00 pm at her daughter, Jessica’s home in Collingswood, NJ.  A Celebration of Life event in West Virginia will be scheduled for a future date.  Kris battled cancer three times; she was a survivor of two.  The family encourages you to consider giving a memorial gift to a cancer charity of your choice, or to hospice.

Kris’ family grieves her loss, but they take comfort in knowing that Bruce and Kristine are together again.

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