Kindra Clineff

TOPSFIELD - Maybe the fact that Kindra Clineff was born in Illinois and spent her formative years in the Midwest had something to do with her warm congeniality, because she loved linking with people. Photography was an early passion, mentored by her father and fueled by a love of nature, agriculture, everything rural, and people.

Kindra attended the University of New Hampshire, but her formal studies were cut short by a severe illness with repercussions that ultimately took her life on February 28, 2022 at the age of 61. For the forty years between those dates, her vigor, lust for life, radiance, and productivity were in no way diminished. She lived her life fully, leaving a deep and radiant impression on this world.

Above all, Kindra loved photography. After learning techniques as an assistant, she launched a highly successful and multi-faceted photographic career. She excelled as a lifestyle, portrait, commercial, garden, and food photographer for the finest magazines and clients in the country and the region. Many of her photographs were featured as magazine covers—most recently on the issue of Victoria magazine currently on the newsstand. She photographed award-winning books. And yet, she was infinitely modest about all these accolades. Her lifelong obsession was photographing local fairs, capturing the magical behind-the-scenes moments that occurred before showtime, a pursuit that began with the Cornish Fair and ultimately blossomed into many years chronicling the Topsfield Fair.

However, photography was only one of many favorite pursuits. Kindra was fascinated by historic buildings. Together with her lifelong partner, Tim Preston, she took Topsfield’s 1683 Stanley Lake House under her wing. She also gardened fanatically and was active with the Topsfield Garden Club. She was obsessed with antiques, antiquing, and flea markets. She was a friend to animals (with a special place in heart for Pinkie, her Turkish Van cat) and all creation (with the exception of spiders). She was admirably resourceful and artistic. She brought beauty wherever she went.

Kindra was a people person and leaves innumerable warm friends whose lives are fuller as a result of her friendship. She would rush to help anyone with any project that was within her realm (and beyond). She loved her family deeply and leaves her beloved lifelong partner, Tim Preston as well as her sisters Pam Clineff and Jody Clineff and Jody’s husband, Steve Hall. She also leaves her nephews Scott Lawler and Ryan Lawler, Scott’s wife Jandee, and Ryan’s wife, Jessica, and their two children Owen, and Chloe. She is predeceased by her sister Karen Lawler, her mother Joan Louise Clineff, and her father Donald Clineff.

ARRANGEMENTS: Funeral services will be held in the Congregational Church of Topsfield, 9 E. Common Street, Topsfield, MA  on Saturday, March 12th at 11 A.M. Relatives and friends invited. Assisting the family with the arrangements is O’Donnell Cremations – Funerals – Celebrations, 167 Maple St., (rte 62) DANVERS. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in Kindra's memory to the Northeast Animal Shelter, 347 Highland Ave., Salem, MA 01970. To share a memory or offer a condolence, please visit www.odonnellfuneralservice.com

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