Obituary for Christine Curtis
Mrs. Christine M. Curtis
Christine Mary Curtis (née Fleming) passed away on January 27, 2014 at the age of 96, after a long illness, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she had resided for six years.
Christine was a devoted mother, grandmother, relative and friend. She stood barely five feet tall, and it was a mystery how her exceedingly loving and large heart could fit into such a petite frame.
It somehow did, along with an unassuming nature, a warm smile, a keen intelligence, an appreciation of art, and, like many of her generation, an enduring resilience in the face of life''s challenges. She inspired all who knew and loved her.
Christine loved the mountains surrounding her birthplace of Webster Springs, West Virginia. The eldest of four, she moved to Akron, Ohio at age 16 to live with her aunt and attend Hammel Actual Business College. There she met a young man two years her senior, Frank W. Curtis, Jr. She quickly knew, she said, that she had found the love of her life.
The two would not wed until December 1947, after Frank returned from service as a World War II pilot and Christine had risen to become an executive secretary for the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company.
She left her career in 1950 to raise her family. Following Frank''s premature passing in 1967, she returned to the workforce as a legal secretary for the Akron firm of McGowan Sheck & Jones. She retired at age 75 to a well-deserved life focused on family, books, sewing and her lovely cottage-like home, where her grandchildren learned that grandma was also a highly adept gin rummy player.
Christine is survived by daughter, Christine Roysdon of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; sons, Frank III of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Richard Curtis of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandsons, Benjamin and Alex Roysdon; granddaughter, Elizabeth Curtis; daughter-in-law, Melissa Skolfield; son-in-law, Douglas Roysdon; sister-in-law, Gladys Fleming; as well as many nieces and nephews. She will be truly missed.
A private family service will be held. Memorial contributions on behalf of Mrs. Christine Curtis can be made to the Akron Art Museum at:
http://akronartmuseum.org/donate
Christine Mary Curtis (née Fleming) passed away on January 27, 2014 at the age of 96, after a long illness, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, where she had resided for six years.
Christine was a devoted mother, grandmother, relative and friend. She stood barely five feet tall, and it was a mystery how her exceedingly loving and large heart could fit into such a petite frame.
It somehow did, along with an unassuming nature, a warm smile, a keen intelligence, an appreciation of art, and, like many of her generation, an enduring resilience in the face of life''s challenges. She inspired all who knew and loved her.
Christine loved the mountains surrounding her birthplace of Webster Springs, West Virginia. The eldest of four, she moved to Akron, Ohio at age 16 to live with her aunt and attend Hammel Actual Business College. There she met a young man two years her senior, Frank W. Curtis, Jr. She quickly knew, she said, that she had found the love of her life.
The two would not wed until December 1947, after Frank returned from service as a World War II pilot and Christine had risen to become an executive secretary for the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company.
She left her career in 1950 to raise her family. Following Frank''s premature passing in 1967, she returned to the workforce as a legal secretary for the Akron firm of McGowan Sheck & Jones. She retired at age 75 to a well-deserved life focused on family, books, sewing and her lovely cottage-like home, where her grandchildren learned that grandma was also a highly adept gin rummy player.
Christine is survived by daughter, Christine Roysdon of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; sons, Frank III of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and Richard Curtis of Cincinnati, Ohio; grandsons, Benjamin and Alex Roysdon; granddaughter, Elizabeth Curtis; daughter-in-law, Melissa Skolfield; son-in-law, Douglas Roysdon; sister-in-law, Gladys Fleming; as well as many nieces and nephews. She will be truly missed.
A private family service will be held. Memorial contributions on behalf of Mrs. Christine Curtis can be made to the Akron Art Museum at:
http://akronartmuseum.org/donate