Her outer beauty, which was obvious to all, couldn't hold a candle to her inner beauty which was considerable and very, very deep.
She was consistently never less than exemplary in her warmth, niceness, sincerity, generosity, good humor, wit and intelligence. She was very sensitive to people's feelings and all kinds of situations.
She always made you feel that you were the most special person in the world whenever you spent any time with her.
When we had our first encounter in nearly 20 years at the 25th reunion, she hugged me so tightly and whispered in my ear how happy and thankful she was that I was able to make the reunion. I gave her the exact same greeting at the same moment. I had heard about her medical situation prior to the reunion and was hoping she'd be able to make it. Catching up with her was one of the best highlights of the reunion, as well as watching her have a great time.
We started emailing each other right after the reunion, and it lasted until her passing. We also had brief reunions when she stopped in at Target on days when I was scheduled to work.
I became friends with Chris at the beginning of 7th grade, stayed friends through our HS graduation, and kept up with her until I left the area for the West Coast in 1986. Making that reconnection was very important and I'm forever grateful for that.
Thankfully, I was able to capture a little of what made her special and unique on photo and motion picture film. Even more thankfully, she got to see the movie part of it at the 25th reunion on video. Hopefully more people will be able to enjoy those video memories at the 30th reunion and future reunions after that.
What can i say?..i was shocked to here about Chris's passing! Seems that god takes some of the best people from us prematurely! I was fortunate enough to see Chris grow/excell from 7th grade at Samuel Ogle until we escaped Bowie High. She was in my homeroom every year....big smile..sparkling blue sapphire eyes...and always had such a positive aura presence, poise, and demeanor which was contagious to us all. Beautiful, elegant, with more talent than any 2 combined...she was truly gifted,possessed high intelligence,values,and unenduring energy to light up a room!! She had an awesome sense of humor to boot! I'll miss her always and never forget that happy,fiesty girl that made such an empression anyywhere she placed a footprint. i regret the fact that i missed several reunions due to being sucked-up into 3 major conflicts while in Europe. I hope you hear me Chris...and lil Trish too. I hope we'll meet again in the future! Ralph DeSantis
I remember Christine from Elem. school and all the way through high school. I never told her that I had a crush on her. I never got a chance to thank her for her kindness when others were not so kind to me. I remember seeing a few years after high school and we talked for a few. she was one of the few who could punch holes in my armor. Even though we were not close freinds, she was a very good person and I hope that she can forgive me for not thanking her. I wish I could have taken her place in death. I remember a story. This is pure Christine. In jr. high I played on the soccer team. It was the first game of the season and it was hot. Not just hot, but unbearable hot. I played the whole game. There was 5 minutes left in the game. I was 20 yards on the other half of the field. The other team got a fast break. Everyone had pulled up to try to keep the ball on the other half of the field. I started to run back, kicked in the after burners. I thought to myself, "there is no way I can make it back in time". I hear everyone yelling and screeaming. Over all this I hear Christine, "Run Larry Run!, Run Larry Run!" It was as if I had warp drive! I ran past my teammates, the other team and took the ball away from the other player, who was getting ready to shoot. I past the ball down field and the ball got passed to the wing who scored. We won the game. No one remembered what I did. They were cheering for the wing that scored. I looked around and saw Christine walking off with her boyfriend. I put my hands on my hips and look down. I bitterly thought, " It should not end this way." I felt totally alone. I took a quick glance up and saw her looking at me. It was as if she could read my mind. She gave me a big smile with a wink and a thumbs up. I felt like a million bucks! She was the only one to thank me for what I did that day. After that game whenever I felt that I could no longer run, I thought of that one moment in time. That gave me the power and drive for the rest of the soccer season. I was not going to share this story at first. But it is important for those who may not have known Christine, as to what kind of person she is. Even back in JR. high school to when she passed. As long as we keep her in our thoughts and in our hearts she will always be alive. With love and as an admirer from afar, Larry
Todd Mars
Her outer beauty, which was obvious to all, couldn't hold a candle to her inner beauty which was considerable and very, very deep.She was consistently never less than exemplary in her warmth, niceness, sincerity, generosity, good humor, wit and intelligence. She was very sensitive to people's feelings and all kinds of situations.
She always made you feel that you were the most special person in the world whenever you spent any time with her.
When we had our first encounter in nearly 20 years at the 25th reunion, she hugged me so tightly and whispered in my ear how happy and thankful she was that I was able to make the reunion. I gave her the exact same greeting at the same moment. I had heard about her medical situation prior to the reunion and was hoping she'd be able to make it. Catching up with her was one of the best highlights of the reunion, as well as watching her have a great time.
We started emailing each other right after the reunion, and it lasted until her passing. We also had brief reunions when she stopped in at Target on days when I was scheduled to work.
I became friends with Chris at the beginning of 7th grade, stayed friends through our HS graduation, and kept up with her until I left the area for the West Coast in 1986. Making that reconnection was very important and I'm forever grateful for that.
Thankfully, I was able to capture a little of what made her special and unique on photo and motion picture film. Even more thankfully, she got to see the movie part of it at the 25th reunion on video. Hopefully more people will be able to enjoy those video memories at the 30th reunion and future reunions after that.
Todd Mars.
Ralph DeSantis
What can i say?..i was shocked to here about Chris's passing! Seems that god takes some of the best people from us prematurely! I was fortunate enough to see Chris grow/excell from 7th grade at Samuel Ogle until we escaped Bowie High. She was in my homeroom every year....big smile..sparkling blue sapphire eyes...and always had such a positive aura presence, poise, and demeanor which was contagious to us all. Beautiful, elegant, with more talent than any 2 combined...she was truly gifted,possessed high intelligence,values,and unenduring energy to light up a room!! She had an awesome sense of humor to boot! I'll miss her always and never forget that happy,fiesty girl that made such an empression anyywhere she placed a footprint. i regret the fact that i missed several reunions due to being sucked-up into 3 major conflicts while in Europe. I hope you hear me Chris...and lil Trish too. I hope we'll meet again in the future!Ralph DeSantis
Larry Hartzell
I remember Christine from Elem. school and all the way through high school. I never told her that I had a crush on her. I never got a chance to thank her for her kindness when others were not so kind to me. I remember seeing a few years after high school and we talked for a few. she was one of the few who could punch holes in my armor. Even though we were not close freinds, she was a very good person and I hope that she can forgive me for not thanking her. I wish I could have taken her place in death.I remember a story. This is pure Christine.
In jr. high I played on the soccer team. It was the first game of the season and it was hot. Not just hot, but unbearable hot. I played the whole game. There was 5 minutes left in the game. I was 20 yards on the other half of the field. The other team got a fast break. Everyone had pulled up to try to keep the ball on the other half of the field. I started to run back, kicked in the after burners. I thought to myself, "there is no way I can make it back in time". I hear everyone yelling and screeaming. Over all this I hear Christine, "Run Larry Run!, Run Larry Run!" It was as if I had warp drive! I ran past my teammates, the other team and took the ball away from the other player, who was getting ready to shoot. I past the ball down field and the ball got passed to the wing who scored. We won the game. No one remembered what I did. They were cheering for the wing that scored. I looked around and saw Christine walking off with her boyfriend. I put my hands on my hips and look down. I bitterly thought, " It should not end this way." I felt totally alone. I took a quick glance up and saw her looking at me. It was as if she could read my mind. She gave me a big smile with a wink and a thumbs up. I felt like a million bucks! She was the only one to thank me for what I did that day. After that game whenever I felt that I could no longer run, I thought of that one moment in time. That gave me the power and drive for the rest of the soccer season.
I was not going to share this story at first. But it is important for those who may not have known Christine, as to what kind of person she is. Even back in JR. high school to when she passed. As long as we keep her in our thoughts and in our hearts she will always be alive.
With love and as an admirer from afar,
Larry
Elizabeth Stout (Kallighan)
Just found this website. I can't believe Chris passed away.She was always so full of life and energy and nice to everyone. This is just so sad.