Kristin von Nieda passed away on the morning of Saturday December 9, 2023 at the age of 71 following a courageous 4-month battle with cancer. Kris passed away at home surrounded with love.

Kris was born on December 23, 1951 in Ephrata, PA to Dorothy and Stanley "Whitey" von Nieda Jr. She graduated from Ephrata High School in 1970 and completed her Bachelor of Arts degree from Millersville University in 1973 with a degree in German. She went on to teach German for four years, before pursuing what became her life-long passion, physical therapy (PT). Kris completed her PT post-graduate certificate in 1980 at the University of Pennsylvania. She then went on to get a Master's degree at Temple University in 1990, followed by a doctoral degree from MGH Institute of Health Professions in 2005.

Kris worked in the field of Physical Therapy for more than forty years across a variety of settings and dedicated the majority of her career to teaching. She was on faculties at Arcadia University, Temple University, MCP Hahnemann, and the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia. Over the course of her academic career, Kris imparted her vast knowledge to the next generation of students and was an inspiration to many. Kris loved the joy of connection with her students and she continued to actively teach part-time at Arcadia University until her illness. Her work also included many medical service missions to Guatemala with her PT students.

Kris was an active member in the Pennsylvania American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) and a delegate for over 30 years. In November 2023, Kris was awarded the 2024 Lucy Blair Service Award by the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA). The lifetime service award embodies everything that defines Kris - dedicating her life to others.

Besides her devotion to her patients and students in the physical therapy field, Kris most enjoyed time spent with friends, holidays with family, traveling to Italy, learning new languages, gardening, and cooking for those she loved. She had a love for sports and most enjoyed following Formula 1 racing, playing and watching tennis, and supporting the Philadelphia Eagles. She cherished summer days in Cape May NJ with her grandsons bicycling around town, gardening and playing at the beach. She appreciated the simple moments in life and she always shared the gift of making time slow down when she was with others.

Kris is predeceased by her parents, Dorothy and Whitey von Nieda of Ephrata, PA. She is survived by her husband, Robert G. Martone, a step-daughter who she loved like her own, Jacqueline Martone Wolf (Alexander), and her three grandsons who were the greatest loves of her life, Henry, Gus and Oscar. Kris is also survived by her five siblings and their spouses: Tim and Patrizia von Nieda, Kurt and Donna von Nieda, Heidi von Nieda and Dave McComb, John and Kristine von Nieda, and Matt and Lisa von Nieda, as well as her 12 nieces and nephews. Anyone who knows Kris, would know that her family was at the heart of who she was and they could often be found engaging in a rowdy game of Pinochle on any night spent together. Kris will be remembered as an incredibly kind and generous educator, colleague, mentor, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and sister. The gratitude and deep affection so many have expressed is an emblem of a life well lived. Her dedication and counsel to those of us in her family will be cherished as both a guiding beacon and an enduring gift.

A memorial service will be held on January 4th at 1:00 pm at Rigby, Harting and Hagan Funeral Home at 15 East 4th Street, Media, PA 19063. Friends and family are welcome to attend a visitation at the funeral home from 12:00 - 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial gifts may be made to:

The Rebecca Craik Faculty Fellowship at Arcadia University to support research in the area of aging and quality of life.

Link to Scholarship: www.givecampus.com/schools/ArcadiaUniversity/the-craik-faculty-fellowship

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Arrangements: Rigby Harting & Hagan Funeral Home
15 E. Fourth St. Media, PA 19063
www.haganfuneralhome.com