In Loving Memory of Kristal “Sissy” Steele: Fighting Esophageal Cancer Together

My Story

My beloved sister, Kristal, affectionately known to her family as Sissy, passed away after a courageous 2-year battle with esophageal cancer on March 1st, 2026. In her memory, my husband, James is running the St Albans half marathon on June 14th, and we are raising money for Cancer Research. Sissy was more than a sister, mother, wife, aunt, or friend - she was a source of laughter and someone who brought warmth and kindness into every room she entered. Sissy was the kind of person who never missed a chance to help someone and made every gathering brighter with her smile. She loved road trips, fishing, camping, and being creative. At the center of it all, though, was her family - her husband, David, and three children: Arianna (19), Ethan (17), and Memphis (4). Even during her illness, Sissy showed remarkable strength and grace and made sure to never waste a day sitting at home when she could be out adventuring with her family. Even on her last day, she was out at soft play making memories. Losing her has left an enormous space in our hearts, but we are forever grateful for the time and memories we have together and that she met our sweet little Jamie in January before her passing. Sissy was well enough to spend our trip playing, cuddling, and entertaining Jamie with silly faces and we will always cherish those moments together. Esophageal cancer is a devastating disease that affects thousands of families every year. Sissy passed away on St. David’s Day, and it feels fitting that the famous words associated with the day are “be joyful, keep the faith, and do the little things you have seen and heard me do.” That message reflects the way Sissy lived her life - finding joy in the little things, keeping faith through the hardest moments, and always putting her family and others first. In her memory, we want to turn our grief into something meaningful and honor her adventurous spirit. Since Jamie arrived, life has been full in the best possible way, but between the joyful chaos of his first year, losing Sissy, and the demands of a busy job, exercise, and adventure have naturally taken a back seat. Taking on this half marathon feels like the right moment to get back outside, to appreciate the privilege of being able to run, and to push toward something meaningful. Training for this challenge is not just about completing a race, but about using the physical and mental benefits of running to turn grief into purpose and raise money for esophageal cancer research and treatment in Sissy’s memory. Thank you for taking the time to read our story. If you are able to make a contribution, no matter how small, it would mean a great deal to us as we look to honor Sissy’s memory and support vital esophageal cancer research. More than anything, we hope this helps raise awareness and encourages people to look out for themselves and the ones they love. Cancer doesn’t discriminate, and the more we can do to support research and treatment, the more hope there will be for families facing this devastating diagnosis in the future. Lots of Love, Tiffany, James, and Baby Jamie