August “My Why” Spotlight: Meet Kristy Naylor

Kalispell, Montana | Director of Clinical Services

Our August My Why story comes from Kristy Naylor, Director of Clinical Services at our Kalispell agency. Kristy has been part of the Stillwater Hospice team since April 2025, bringing years of nursing experience, strong leadership, and a deep understanding of what compassionate end-of-life care truly means.

Kristy’s journey into hospice began while she was serving as the Director of Health Services at an 80-bed assisted living facility on Maui. Through her work with Hospice Maui and its nurses, she found herself reconnecting with the reason she became a nurse in the first place.

At the time, Kristy was considering pursuing a master’s degree and searching for the next step in her career. What she thought would lead her back to school instead led her directly to her calling: hospice care.

A Legacy of Nursing

Kristy’s connection to nursing reaches back more than a century. Her great-grandmother completed her nursing training before stepping off a train alone in Culbertson, Montana, in 1913. As an Eastern Montana homesteader and nurse, she was called upon for nearly everything—from delivering babies to attending deaths.

That legacy of showing up for others during life’s most meaningful moments continues through Kristy’s work today.

Hospice has taught her that death and life are not separate conversations. In her words, “With an open heart, you can learn to appreciate your dying while actually living life.”

Carrying Every Story

For Kristy, hospice care is about far more than managing symptoms. It’s about listening, remaining present, and recognizing the importance of every person’s story.

“Each patient and family leaves a piece of their story with me,” she shares.

After walking alongside hundreds of patients and families, Kristy carries those faces, lessons, and stories with her. Each experience continues to shape how she leads, how she cares, and how she approaches life.

Hospice work is not always easy, but it is deeply meaningful. It reminds us to slow down, listen more closely, laugh whenever we can, and remain grateful for the time we have.

We’re thankful for the knowledge, leadership, and open heart Kristy brings to Stillwater Hospice and the patients, families, and team members she supports each day.

After all, if my patients can teach me how to laugh through tears, I can certainly face each day with gratitude—and just a little sass.”