Kristin Elizabeth Tell

Kristin Elizabeth Tell died unexpectedly in her sleep at home in Chapel Hill on July 16, 2026. She was 56.

Born on February 27, 1970, to Ronald Tell and Jean Stirrup Tell, and raised in northern New Jersey, she was, in her heart, an ’80s Jersey girl, devoted to her family, friends, Bon Jovi and The Boss.

A brilliant dancer (ballet, tap, jazz) and “theater kid” throughout elementary and high school, she was inspired to pursue physical therapy as a career at Ithaca University, where she regularly made the Dean’s List. After completing school, she spent several years in Boston, where she became a passionate Red Sox fan and adopted the first of her beloved cats, Angel.

Warmer winters (and her brother, Steve) lured her south to North Carolina where she eventually found a professional home at the inpatient physical therapy unit at Duke Regional Hospital from 2002 until her death. There she adopted Duke as her “other” team and became a fanatic supporter of the men’s basketball team — so much so that she worked part time as a security guard for Duke Athletics so she could get a better view.

Kris was a creative and thorough physical therapist, compassionately assisting thousands of patients to regain their independence. “She always cared about the patient,” one colleague said, who talked about Kris’ attention to the details of what a patient would need beyond the hospital. In particular, Kris enjoyed working with patients who had neurological injuries, who gave her the opportunity to exercise her knowledge and creativity.

From teaching younger dance students when she was in high school, to her professional life, a throughline in Kris’ life was teaching. At Duke, she mentored a generation of doctoral physical therapy students from across the country. One student said that being matched with Kris as her preceptor was like getting “a golden ticket,” and that the way Kris related to patients and colleagues has reverberated in her own work. In 2023, Kris was named Clinical Instructor of the Year by Duke’s PT program.

Family and friends are heartbroken that they won’t experience Kris’ megawatt smile, sly sense of humor or raucous laugh again. They’ll miss her famous Christmas cookies (some years, as many as 22 different types!) and the other creative baked goods she generously shared.

What people will remember most about Kris is her devotion to her family, particularly her parents, Ron and Jean, for whom she provided care and company for countless hours. They, along with her brother, Steve (and wife Rose Hoban), who survive her will miss her daily.

Kris proudly embraced her cat lady identity, and her friends can imagine her being greeted in the afterlife by Angel, Sophie, Cameron, Panda, and the many kitties she cared for and helped find homes. Never say goodbye.

Services will be Monday, July 27, at Walker’s Funeral Home, 11680 U.S. Highway 15 501 N, Chapel Hill. The service is at 5 p.m. followed by visitation with the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to the Humane Society of Granville County, NC or to your local cat/animal rescue organization.