Christine O. Smith, 77, of Elmhurst, passed peacefully surrounded by her family. Chris was preceded in death by her adoring husband Bruce; loving mother of Bruce (Melissa), Mark (Betsy) and Jenny (Jeff) Pozen; proud and caring G of Haley, Hanna, Bruce III, Ellen, Brian, Adam and Jane Smith; Charlie, Max, Sam, Joe and Christy Pozen; dear sister of Faye Rosselle (Don Pudney), Carol (Glenn) Kuschke, and Kent (Bonnie) Olson.
Chris was born in Decatur, Illinois to the late Eldred and Ruth Olson, nee Barnes. She attended Western Illinois University where she met and married her sweetheart, Bruce, in 1963. She left college to raise a family but later graduated from Elmhurst University with a teaching degree. She taught 2nd grade at Jefferson School in Elmhurst for many years before retiring.
Chris loved her cat Rosie, her students, spending time outdoors, playing mahjong with friends, playing the piano and listening to music. She enjoyed reading and writing poetry and was very involved in her church and was a faithful and devout Christian. But mostly she loved being with her family. As the grandmother (aka “G”) of 12, she spent as much time with them as she could. The grandchildren always looked forward to her Christmas sleepovers and Thanksgiving dinners. She loved summers at her cabin in Minnesota, listening to the loons and gazing at the bright stars above the lake.
Despite being diagnosed with cancer and losing her beloved husband, she lived the last few years of her life with infectious enthusiasm, an unwavering positive spirit, never-ending curiosity and a loving kindness that radiated from her. She showed others how to live life in the face of adversity. She will be missed dearly, as will those delicious pies she baked.
Visitation Thursday March 25th from 4:00-7:00 at Gibbons Funeral Home, 134 South York Road, (½ mile North of Saint Charles Road), Elmhurst. Please practice Social Distancing and wear masks. Funeral and burial private for family only. Service will be recorded for viewing.
In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to her church, Bethel UCC, https://www.bethel-ucc.org/give or to provide water to those in need through Marion Medical Mission https://www.mmmwater.org
Please visit the funeral home website to access the link to view the service or to leave messages for the family. For funeral information please call 630-832-0018 or go to www.gibbonsfuneralhome.com
Link for Livestream of Service – Beginning 1pm, March 26, 2021 : https://youtu.be/daZrRGPQM44
Stephanie Hoboth
Dear Bruce,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Sincerely,
Steph Hoboth
Nancy Brda
Jenny,
I am so sorry for the loss of your wonderful loving Mother. I was lucky enough to receive one of her delicious pies at my home. I still have the dish and will always think of her and your Dad at that lovely luncheon.
Nancy and Dave
Pam and Dave
Dear Bruce, Mark, and Jenny,
Your mom was a wonderful lady and meant the world to Dave and me. We will hold our love for Chris and Bruce in our hearts always. Love, Pam and Dave
Scott O'Toole
Bruce and Family – Our thoughts and prayers are with you today as you say good bye to your dear mother. Sorry we cannot be there in person to support you all but please know you’re in our hearts today.
Love,
Scott, Ann & Michael O’Toole
KimRostin/Jim Sharp
Bruce and family, I am so very sorry to hear of your moms passing. May you find peace in all your beautiful memories. Love you guys and praying for strength for your family. Love you
Chris Ketcham
Our deepest condolences to the entire Smith family. Your family will be in my family’s thoughts & prayers in these difficult times.
Sincerely,
The Ketcham family
Stephanie Carden
Bruce I am very sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Lisa Hartlage
Dear Jenny and Family,
Our family sends condolences. The video montage left me smiling with happy tears. So many wonderful memories. Mom and Dad are together. We’re here for you. Anything you need, please reach out. Hugs.
Ellen Zimmerman Kircher
Dear Jenny and Beautiful Family,
Sending you abundant love and healing light! What a beautiful family pictoral tribute to your mom! I haven’t seen you in a few years but am sending you a big virtual hug until I do!
Loving prayers and peace to you,
Ellen
Annette Beck
Bruce, may wonderful memories of your mom help get you through this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Love, Robbie & Annette
Linda Orgler
Dear Bruce
I am so very sorry. It is wonderful you were all able to be with your mother and surround her with so much love. Even though I do not know her personally I am blessed to know you Bruce. Your mother has touched so many people and her love is still being passed on and will continue through you and everyone she has touched. I looking forward to being able to give you a big hug again, until then I am sending our love and prayers to you, Melissa and all of the Smith family.
Love, Linda and Dave
Jane Forbes
I am blessed to have known ‘G’. She shined so bright and was pure grace and love. My deepest condolences to you all.
With Peace,
Jane
Mike Mulvey
Bruce and Family,
My thoughts and prayers are with you at this time of loss.
Mike Mulvey
Bill McElrath
Bruce, Mark, Jenny,
It is with a sad heart that I send you my deepest sympathies on the loss of your mother. She will always be Christie to me, a woman with a huge,loving heart, devoted totally to Bruce, and you her children, and also your children. This ends a chapter of my life, one that was full of such fond memories, both in Elmhurst and at East Crooked Lake!! It is your job now to carry on the “Smith legacy”, and I am sure you will do that with total love and passion. May God be with you all. Uncle Bill
Jean and Red
Jenny and family,
So sad to hear about your Mom’s passing. We so enjoyed your Mom and Dad, especially on our first Adults in Mission trip in 2007! Your Mom did so much for Bethel and was an inspiring leader for Human Concerns for many years. She will be sorely missed.
Praying for God’s comfort for you all.
Jean and Red
Jean and Red
Jenny and family,
So sad to hear about your Mom’s passing. We so enjoyed your Mom and Dad, especially on our first Adults in Mission trip in 2007! Your Mom did so much for Bethel and was an inspiring leader for Human Concerns for many years. She will be sorely missed.
Praying for God’s comfort for you all.
Ruth Barnes Chell and family
We’ve lost a beautiful soul, but her spark lives on in so many hearts! I have such strong memories of our “Christie Lou” and our family gatherings at White Star Farm. Her lovely writings and interest in organizing family archives stand as testament to her love of family, the natural world and love of place. What a pleasure it was to have visited Bruce and Christie on our cross country trip in 2011. We had a wonderful time sharing family photos and recaps of past times. Her gentle voice and generous ways, her talents and love of Bruce & extended family, and her efforts to ensure a better world will always be remembered. Love and sympathy to the family she leaves behind to honor her name.
Nancy Wells McClellan
Dear family of Christie:
Dear Faye, Carol and Kent: Christie and I (and you) grew up on Riverview. She was my dearest friend forever. We have kept in contact and my memories are so very precious. She talked of you all nonstop and was so proud. I am so glad she had you all during these last difficult years; you were so good to her. I will miss her terribly. She was the dearest, most gentle soul. God bless you all. Love and hugs, Nancy Wells McClellan
Lois Barnes Repass
Christy Lou…even though life, time, geography kept us from seeing much of each other, I hold dear to my heart the stories she shared about family, the faint memoirs of gatherings at the White Star Farm (as I was quite young!!) And always looked forward to her Christmas cards/letters and her wit! Sending healing hugs and hearts to the family…with love..
Sandra Yauch Benedetto
I wish to extend my condolences to the family of Mrs. Smith, who was my second-grade teacher in 1987. She nurtured a love of reading and writing in me that has shaped my life. Her warmth and kindness endeared her to me then, and again in recent years when she and my mom became friends. I know that she will be celebrated and missed by many.