Christine was a loving wife to Peter, inspirational mother to Ginny, Mark and Jane and to son-in-law Jonathan and a devoted grandmother to Rosa, Joe and Stella. She passed away in the early hours of Tuesday 22nd February with her family at her side.  

Always energetic, compassionate and generous in her support of others, she was enthusiastic about all she became involved in.  We know her friends at the Phoenix Opera Society will remember the wonderful costumes she made, just as the family will remember the house brimming with fabrics, policemen’s hats, kimonos and Victorian hoops, depending on the flavour of that year's production. She loved the fun she had, along with Peter, playing golf, especially as a long-term member of Castle Hawk Golf Club and later as the handicap secretary of the (small and select group) of over 50's ladies. She was a staunch supporter of Oldham Choral Society, again along with Peter who sang there. We will remember her lovely singing voice, on stage, as a member of the church choir, and around the house, whether practising before, or as part of the inevitable post-service analysis. Her faith and the community of St Vincent de Paul RC Church formed a cornerstone of her life and she was always grateful for the friendships and support they gave her. 

Her family was of the upmost importance to her and the ambitious party she orchestrated for their 40th wedding anniversary allowed Peter and Christine to host the wider family over a weekend in Somerset, some meeting for the first time. Most memorably, the decor included huge wallpaper sheets inscribed carefully with family trees on several walls, reflecting her years of research into four branches of the family, with partygoers adding the latest births in their branch. This was the first of many multigenerational celebrations of landmark birthdays and anniversaries,  the most recent a holiday for 19 in Cornwall in July 2021.

For the last 4 years she has coped with a diagnosis of ovarian cancer, three courses of chemotherapy, and the COVID lockdown with typical fortitude and positivity. She was determined to attack life as she always has, enjoying the moment but also ensuring its success with thorough preparation and organisation. She took to family Zoom meetings enthusiastically, with a 17-strong transatlantic weekly meet up, including a book club with members between the ages of 15 and 90 and participating in, and on occasions designing, quizzes. We will not forget her's and Peter's 'what sound is this' round (to us they all sounded like a hairdryer -only one of them was).  Throughout her illness she was treated with kindness by Christie's Hospital and in the last two months with compassion and gentleness by the teams from Springhill Hospice. She herself had volunteered there for many years until 2006 and, typically for her, found a group of friends that have stayed with her until today. 

Peter and all the family can't thank her enough for the joy she brought to all our lives and her unflagging energy in the way she listened to and supported us all. Since the grandchildren were young, we have always gathered together for Christmas in Rochdale. The familiar routine of Christmas puddings and cakes, games, music and most of all the joy of a close family are now embedded in three generations. Even at this last Christmas she was determined for us all to be together and on Christmas day we sat over a meal that, although cooked by us all, was most definitely masterminded by her with regular instructions dispensed into the Kitchen.

Christine leaves many friends, going back to school and university days, in America from the two years she and Peter lived there after their marriage, from her work as an industrial chemist and in the community where she has lived since 1969. All are invited to celebrate her life at a requiem mass led by Father James Manock at St Vincent de Paul Church, Caldershaw Road, Norden, Rochdale OL12 6BU, on Thursday 10th March at 12.00 midday.



Donations in lieu of flowers would be most gratefully received for either Shelter or The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.



All further enquiries to Cutgate Coop Funeralcare, 9-10 Cutgate Precinct, Edenfield Road, Rochdale OL11 5AQ


Telephone: 01706 643215