BASTIEN – LOPEZ, Krisma

Bastien – Lopez, Krisma Kim
Oh-as-sta-toh-kiis

“I wish I had hugged you a little bit harder that day, I didn’t know it was my last….” anonymous
Krisma was born in Fort Macleod on October 19, 1973. Krisma returned to the Source of Life on April 11, 2020 as a result of complications to Covid-19 in Upland, California at the age of 47.

She was a Kipitaipokaa to grandparents George and Mary Bastien. Krisma was born into two large extended families the Bastien’s, the Crowshoe’s  and married into three large families the Lopez’s, the Morale’s and the family of Blue. She was loved and cherished by all.

Her birth was a blessed gift and she will be remember for her genuineness, her beautiful smile, her infectious laughter, her kind and thoughtful words, her warm embrace and her spontaneous gestures of love. She will also be remembered for her generous playful spirit and love of life.

 Krisma was a role model as a mother, as Sean’s  lifetime partner and as a daughter which  guided her life’s journey by her enthusiasm in being a loving, patient and doting mother to her sons, a loving and devoted partner to her husband Sean and a loving and caring daughter to her mother Elsie, a constant joy and will be deeply missed. She was loving and loyal friend and sister to her brothers Daren, Cody, sisters Raven, and Natasha.  Krisma, in her lifetime and in her last days, taught us to always have love, faith and hope in our hearts, even in the darkest of hours and in life’s most challenging situations, as she did.

Krisma graduated from the University of Lethbridge 1997 with a Bachelor of Arts and Science and a Management Certificate from Business Enterprises and Self Governing Systems of Indian, Inuit and Metis People, Faculty of Management. Krisma co authored a book with Dr Russel Barsh titled: Effective Negotiation by Indigenous Peoples: An Action Guide with Special Reference to North America. Published in 1997. Through out her years at the University she worked as a CSR for the Royal Bank.
Krisma moved to California with the love of her life David Sean Lopez.
They married and had two sons Joshua and Johnathan Lopez. Krisma and Sean had 23 years to celebrate their love.
Krisma worked in various places In California including the Indian Center, Los Angelos Housing to name a few. Most recently she worked as a Para-Educator  with special needs children for the school district.

Krisma travelled extensively. Each year the family went on Disney Cruises to various exotic places. On long weekends Krisma and Sean took their children to various educational and amusement sites within the California state.

During the 23 years that Krisma made her home in California she would return to Blackfoot country every summer. Both her sons have Blackfoot names given to them by the late Pete Standing Alone. She returned to reaffirm her relationship with the ancestors and with family and friends. Krisma made every effort to visit with  family and friends. She strived to make those connections because of her commitment to her Piikani roots, to family, to friends and so that her sons would know their relatives. Krisma lived a full life although it was cut too short.

Krisma is survived by her devoted and loving husband David Sean Lopez, Detective LAPD, her sons Joshua and Johnathan Lopez, her mother Elsie Bastien, her brother Daren Thomas and wife Carla, her sisters Raven Bastien (Willy),  Natasha,  and brother Cody Crowshoe. Krisma will be sadly missed by dear friends Monique, Kelly and Daniella. Krisma is survived by her father in law David Lopez, mother in law Rosie Acosta (Gus) 1 brother-in-law Joseph Saikaly (Cindy).

Krisma is also survived by her maternal Bastien Family Aunts Blandene (Mark), Betty, and Babette (Lambert); her uncles Cecil, Brian, Vergil (Barb) Erwin (Cathy), and Joe; nieces, nephews and cousins.

Krisma was the first born of her father’s children, the second born grandchild and eldest grand-daughter, so she had a special place in the Crowshoe family. Her connection to them was especially cherished when her father tragically passed away in 1984 and she assumed her father’s place as the eldest.

Krisma is also survived by her paternal Crowshoe family, her uncles and aunts, Donna, Darryll (Debra), Lorna (Eugene), Karen (Mike), Doyle, Lisa, Justin and Tanya, as well as her nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her son Sean George, her father Jeffrey Crowshoe, her grandparents, Mary and George Bastien, Edward and Anne Marie Crowshoe, her uncles Steward, Elmer, Stanley Bastien and Lionel Crowshoe, her niece and nephews Reese, Jenna, Jordan  and Colin, her cousin Daniel, Dylon and Shawn, and her great-grandparents, Josephine Plain Eagle, Albert Sunday, Lucy Black Weasel, Frank Bastien, Jack and Missy Crowshoe.

“Burn what is left of me and scatter the ashes to the winds to help the flowers grow. …. If by chance you wish to remember me, do it with a kind deed or word to someone who needs you. If you do all I have asked, I will live forever.”

Robert H. Test.

The family thank you for the many genuine expressions of support, sympathy and donations to the Go Fund received.

Due to present circumstances concerning COVID-19, a memorial service will be held at a later date.

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