Katrina Biddle Kujan
Katrina Biddle Kujan, 57, died peacefully in the presence of her loving family at their home in Montecito, California, on Memorial Day, May 31, 2021.
Katrina (Trini) was born in Philadelphia, PA on June 21, 1963 to Jack Fiedler and Mary (Polly) Griscom. Her family moved to New Haven, CT in 1966, where she attended Foote School and Hopkins Day Prospect School. She achieved her BA with Honors in History from Goucher College, 1985, and received her Master of Social Work from Columbia University, 1991. She worked full-time at United Illuminating, while attending graduate school.
In 1991, Katrina moved to Los Angeles, CA where she began her 30 year career in social work. As she would say, she was a born social worker. She held various positions providing mental services in medical and psychiatric environments, hospice care and private companies. She ended her career at CA Commercial Investment where she managed over forty service coordinators nationwide, most of whom viewed her as a “Mama Bear” and a role model.
Beyond her professional career, she lived to give to others and causes. As a child and young adult, she would always champion the underdog. In the early 90’s, she facilitated support groups for Aids Project Los Angeles, during the emergence and height of that epidemic. Within the last decade of her life, she facilitated support groups for women with breast cancer, eventually helping establish a group called Sisters in Strength, focused on women with metastatic breast cancer. Katrina walked dogs for the Humane Society, fostered kittens for ASAP, delivered pastries to Veterans for Peace, tutored underserved children, taught Sunday school and volunteered at her daughters’ grade schools, these being only a few of the countless acts of giving throughout her life. Her life’s mission was to make the world a better place.
Katrina was a deeply devoted wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend. She married Dave Kujan in 1994, and they had two children, Mary and Laurel, who provided her immeasurable pride and joy. She possessed immense internal strength, an infinitely courageous spirit, and a love-giving essence. Blessed with a keen intellect, she loved to learn and teach with equal enthusiasm. She was a truly unique individual who viewed the world differently and was a natural “connector”.
Despite Katrina’s courageous 13 year battle with metastatic breast cancer, she never let the disease define her. She possessed a beautiful smile, infinite positivity and true “joie de vivre”. She found great pleasure in music, singing and just playing. All of whom were fortunate to experience Katrina’s love will deeply miss her faithful and treasured presence.
Succeeded by her husband Dave, daughters, Mary and Laurel, parents Mary (Polly) Griscom and Jack Fiedler, sisters, Georgia Griscom and Alexandra (Ali) Fiedler, and brother, Jon Fiedler.
Family and friends are invited to attend a celebration of life gathering on Saturday, August 7 between 1pm-3pm at the Unitarian Society of Santa Barbara, California. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Planned Parenthood of California Central Coast or Wildlife SOS.