I met Christine around 2007 through the Chocolate Club at STScI, and I always enjoyed our chats during those sweet breaks in the day. When I left STScI in 2012, we stayed connected through Facebook, and I truly appreciated the thoughtful comments she would leave on my posts over the years. Even from afar, her kindness and warmth always came through. I’m so grateful to have known her. I’ll remember her as someone gentle, caring, and easy to talk to, someone who brought a quiet comfort in conversation. Sending love to all who knew and loved her.

In reading tributes to Chris, I was struck by how many people  had a special connection to her due to her overwhelming kindness. I think Chris and Karyn were our primary school “Rock stars”. I got to be one of the first peers to be dazzled by them by having the good fortune of moving to Loring st just prior to Kindergarten.  Before school Chris practiced piano and after school, we played school. She was the teacher (or Karyn), I was the student until Batman and Robin came on tv.  We swapped roles only once, because it became clear I had nothing I could teach Chris. I’m pondering what the bowling ball problem was in physics, because I never saw her struggle with anything academic.  It must of been a doozy of a problem. 

I am so sorry for your loss.  My thoughts are with you and your family.

I became acquainted with Christine through my daughter, Misty's friendship with her.  She and Misty became good friends shortly after Misty began working at the Space Telescope Science Institute over 20 years ago.  When I would talk to my daughter by phone, she would often mention the plans she had with Chris.  That could be planning to go to the symphony, checking out a craft show, or going out to eat together.  Their shared love of cats was often a topic of conversation.  

The one story I will always remember about Chris was her daring rescue of a stray little kitten on a busy highway at night.  She was absolutely dedicated to animals!  When Misty came home to Missouri for a visit or whether she was traveling somewhere else, Chris would go to Misty's house and spend time with her cat just to keep her company.  That's true dedication!

When I came to Baltimore to visit Misty, Chris would sometimes join us for a meal or shopping.  Chris was such an important part of our lives and she will be sadly missed.  

You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.   

My heart goes out to all of Chris' family.

Chris was my office mate for most of the 4.5 years I worked at Space Telescope Science Institute from 1990 to 1994. I will always remember her as my best office mate as we quickly came to the right balance of being able to focus on our own work yet also chatting about all sorts of topics. She became a good friend and I always valued her advice.  I think we got along because we were both MA natives.

We loved figuring out what piece of music to request on the local classical music station hosted by Lisa Simeone and it was often a PDQ Bach piece.  I remember Chris on the long car trip down to see the Shuttle Launch of the first servicing mission and she was willing to stretch out on the floor of the van between the seats when I found it too claustrophobic.  Chris once got me a t-shirt with a loon on it that I still wear to this day because I love loons.

I hadn't seen Chris in years as I moved away to grad school, then my job in NJ.  I've now moved back to MA and kept thinking that I should try to meet up with her whenever she came back to MA. I'm now kicking myself that I didn't do it.

 I’m sorry I can’t be there in person. I have been thinking about Christine a lot and have many fond memories. She was always very supportive of me when I was dealing with some tough times. I wish she would have confided in me more when she was struggling. She was a great tester, and quick to understand complicated requirements. I found out she lived in Auburn MA, which is like the next town over from Worcester, where I grew up, and then I understood why her inclination was to speak so quickly. (A lot of us from that area speak quickly) We got together to do orienteering in the early years at ST, and I think she kept me going a lot longer than I would have lasted otherwise. I’m so sad she is not with us any longer. I miss her smiles and especially her chuckles. I hope and pray she has found peace.  She will remain in my thoughts  as one of the special people in my life.