Obituary of Kristen Petelle Cubbage

Kristen Petelle Cubbage, 48, of Leesburg, passed away on September 7th after an eleven-year illness. Throughout her long and courageous battle with cancer, she personified courage, faith, grace and strength; and was an inspiration to all who met her or heard her story. Born on August 8, 1967 in Warwick, RI, Kristen was the daughter of Eileen Milanette and the late Robert V. Petelle. A true New Englander, she grew up in New Hampshire and attended college in Boston, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Journalism. During college, she discovered a passion for travel abroad, an interest that continued throughout her life as she vacationed with her family throughout the world. Following college, Kristen moved to Washington, DC where she pursued a career in international development, training, and education. Kristen was a loving mother and wife who poured herself into service to others in the community, including volunteering at her daughters' schools, and serving as a Eucharistic Minister and perpetual adorer at St. Veronica's Catholic Church in Chantilly, VA. For more than ten years, she led Brownie and Girl Scout Troops, and was an incredible mentor and role model for the girls. She is deeply missed by her devoted husband of 22 years, Gary Cubbage and daughters Caroline Ann, 18, and Emma Kathleen, 14, all of Leesburg, VA; mother and step-father Eileen and Ro Terry Milanette, of Naples, FL; sister Kimberly Petelle Butz; step-brothers Ro Thomas and Robert Milanette; step-sisters Kimberly Camello and Cheryl Vitek; and many dear friends. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 12th at 12:00pm at St. Veronica's Catholic Church in Chantilly, VA. Memorial donations may be made to: Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center Sarcoma Program, 750 East Pratt St, 17th Floor, Baltimore, MD 21202.