Christine Renee Kenngott (Chris) passed away suddenly on November 23, 2025. Her memory will forever be held and cherished by those who loved her, particularly her children Zoe and Skylar and the love of her life, her beautiful wife and partner, Melissa.

Chris was born and raised in Mogadore, Ohio to Milton and Alice Kenngott. The youngest of six children, she was the fastest gladiolus bulb planter of them all (self-professed).

After graduating from the University of Akron, Chris made Washington, D.C. her home. She began her career as a pioneer in digital campaign efforts for Clinton and Gore U.S. Presidential campaigns. For over 20 years she fought for workers’ rights with the AFL-CIO, ever in pursuit of social justice in her personal and professional life.

Chris was also an advocate and activist for women’s and LGBTQ+ rights, two areas that were deeply personal for her. Her work, alongside so many others, contributed to the legal marriage she and Melissa cherished. Chris and Melissa fought for and built their family together, despite the challenges same-sex couples face. Though the law did not always honor their family, their steadfast love teaches us that justice eventually follows when courage and love refuse to yield.

Chris enjoyed a love of music, passed down from her older brothers and sisters, and felt real joy and community at live music events. She was a world traveler, reveling in new experiences. She loved the outdoors, spending time kayaking, hiking, climbing and on nature photography. Her loved ones will remember her skill imitating birds with her own chirping, tweeting and twittering. She loved playing cards, especially cheating at euchre (which she said is allowed in Ohio), as well as any and all competitive games with family and friends. She brought love and enthusiasm to every endeavor; she knew how to make people and the everyday feel special.

But no matter where she went or what she did, her heart was always, first and foremost, with her family. With Melissa by her side, Chris stepped into the greatest and most cherished phase of her life—motherhood. Made strong by their love for each other, Chris and Melissa created a loving family for daughters Zoe and Skylar. She could never go long without mentioning how proud she was of her girls—Zoe’s rowing and her love of reading, Skylar’s skill on the soccer field, and their hard work and success in academics.

It is hard to imagine a world without Chris. Without our neighbor, friend, partner, mother, aunt, cousin, sister, soccer coach…she played so many roles for so many people. But if you knew Chris, you know that she wouldn’t want us to dwell on tears. Remember instead the lovely times spent together in life. The trips to the beach. Christmas in Ohio. Board games. Card games. Soccer games. So many games. And adventures around the world. She would want us all to continue to laugh, explore, and continue speaking out, acting up, and fighting for a better, fairer world.

And when you miss her, she might have wanted you to take a breath, put on some music, and enjoy a quiet listen—this one is for you, Floyders (class of 1984):

“How I wish, how I wish you were here

We're just two lost souls swimming in a fishbowl, year after year

Running over the same old ground, what have we found?

The same old fears, wish you were here.”.

-Roger Waters for Pink Floyd, Wish You Were Here

Chris is preceded in death by her parents Milton and Alice (nee Mishler), brother Allen Kenngott and sister-in-law Debbie Kenngott. She is survived by her wife and partner, Melissa, her beautiful, bright daughters Zoe Kenngott Songer and Skylar Kenngott Songer, her brother, Max; sisters, Carolyn (Gus) Johnson, Melanie Smethers (Kenngott), Cindy (Alan) Kenngott, and sister by marriage, Cathy Kenngott. Chris is also survived by many beloved nieces and nephews Natalie, Marshall, Sunny, Lindsey, Cody, Maria, Max, Sarah, Lauren, Roxanne, David, Brent, and many Landenberger, Mishler, Jahn, Kenngott cousins, along with her beloved Songer family by marriage, parents Joe and Gayle, brother Michael, and sisters Meredith and Meghan, and all their children. And finally, Chris is survived by her lifelong friend and fellow Floyder, Mike, and her family of choice in DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Boston and all over the world.

While Chris loved flowers, particularly gladiolus (despite having grumbled through hard summer days working in the “Kenngott Glad Patch”), in lieu of flowers, the family asks that you contribute to a local social justice charity or the college scholarship fund that has been established for Zoe and Skye.

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