Chris left a deeper impression on others than I think she ever fully realized.

She carried a quiet kind of strength—an ability to endure, adapt, and keep moving forward no matter what life placed in front of her. Not loud or attention-seeking, just steady, real, and hard-earned. I came to respect that in her more and more over time.

She was also incredibly intelligent and perceptive—the kind of person who noticed things others missed and brought real substance into conversation. Chris didn’t just talk with you—she engaged with you. She made you think, while somehow still putting you at ease.

What I’ll remember most is how grounding she was. There was a calm, familiar quality to her presence that made it easy to just be yourself. And woven into all of that was a sense of humor that could catch you off guard and make you laugh at exactly the right moment.

Chris was her own person to the end—resilient, thoughtful, and quietly brave.

My heart goes out to her children, Ruben and Naomi, and to the rest of her family. Your mother’s spirit lives on and has made a lasting impression on the many people fortunate enough to have known her. I hope that, in time, this brings you comfort and peace.