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Cristina Olsen Obituary
FALMOUTH -- Cristina Olsen, 59, of 138 Mast Rd., passed away quietly at her home on May 26, 2011, after living a full life and having imparted a pure love to her many family and friends.
She was born in Portland on Sept. 25, 1951, the daughter of Andrea and Anne Lombardi DeForte and was educated in Portland schools.
Cristina was employed by the University of Southern Maine for over 20 years. In her earlier years she worked at Goodwill and in various business offices.
She loved life and loved people. Cristina made a friend of everyone she met and everyone loved her. Her favorite activities included traveling, racquetball, cooking, decorating, dining out, drafts, dancing and shopping.
Cristina was a wonderful cook and loved to entertain. In the last five years Cristina and her husband made their yearly trip to Branson, Mo.
Cris and Olie enjoyed the company of friends at festivities and events held at the Italian Heritage Center for many years. She had attended the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Always a caring and courageous woman, Cristina was the matriarch of the DeForte family. A loving daughter, sister, aunt and niece Cristina was devoted to her soul mate, caregiver and best friend, husband Olie.
Being a truly loyal friend, Cristina never forgot birthdays, anniversaries or important dates. She was the picture of strength and courage throughout her battle with illness and despite a tough prognosis continued her tireless work with the charities she supported and the family and friends she cared so deeply about. A truly extraordinary person, Cristina will be deeply missed by her many friends including Barbara Floridino, Pat Peters, Sonny Dobson and her 'Adopted Mom,' Angie Magno.
A special thanks to Dr. L. Golden, Pauline H. Pamela S. and Diane F. She would always say or think 'I'd rather be dancing.'
Her smile would always light up a room and make you smile back.
She is survived by her devoted and beloved husband of 38 years, Ervin 'Olie' Olsen. She is also survived by a brother, Amando DeForte of Portland; her aunt Ellen and uncle Phil Lombardi of Portland; and many cousins; nieces, nephews and friends from communities in and outside of Maine.
Cristina was optimistic about the wonderful possibilities that life could present and realistic about the challenges. Whenever someone made a mountain out of a molehill Cristina said that overcoming it was a 'piece of cake' and she should know, she was a fighter of all obstacles and always said that despite all she had to endure she was the luckiest woman ever with Olie as her partner.
Relatives and friends may call at the Jones, Rich & Hutchins Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, on Thursday, June 2, from 4-7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 3, at 10 a.m., at The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress St., Portland. Burial will follow at New Calvary Cemetery, So. Portland. Please visit www.jonesrichandhutchins.com for additional information and to sign Cristina's guestbook.
If desired contributions
may be made to:
VNA Hospice
50 Foden Rd.
So. Portland, Maine 04106
Cristina Olsen
Jones, Rich & Hutchins
Funeral Home & Cremation Service
775-3763
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Cristina Olsen
Margaret Tyler Christy Furbish
June 3, 2011
Cristina your smile will always warm my heart. You are my angel. You will always be with us.
Jerry & Sue LaSala
June 3, 2011
Chris was a bright light to all she worked with and all who knew her. We'll miss her terribly but never forget her. You are in our thoughts and prayers. God bless.
George Smith
June 2, 2011
Olie, so sorry for your loss of your soulmate and best friend Chris. We've been friends for a long time and knowing Cris, she didn't want to leave you to grieve, but to appreciate the time that you had spent together laughing dancing and always being there for each other. Over the years I have observed how special a couple you have been from your wedding until the present and have admired you for being the kind and caring husband that you are. My heart felt admiration of you has taught me how people should always be toward others. From the day I met Chris til the last time I saw her she had remained true to the person she was then kind considerate of others in every way, and you could see she was the closest thing to an angel on earth as a person could possibly be. At this time I would like to extend to you my best wishes for your peace and happiness for the rest of your life, because you have earn that for all you have done for Cris.
Pauline Hodge
June 2, 2011
Dear Olie,
My heart mostly bleeds for you! You are one of a kind and perfect for Cristina in every possible way. You never waivered or complained in all you endured over the years with her ill health. You jumped and jumped high to make her world as peaceful and comfortable. You gave her a full life despite all she endured. I thank you for letting me into your home, Letting me care and love Cris in a way I have never felt with any other patient that I've cared for. I will miss our "therapy sessions" I will miss her smile and laugh, I will miss her dancing, from the waist up ;-) I will miss her warm embrace, I will miss her telling me..."ah, Dublin Marathon, piece of cake" hahah I will keep you both in my heart.. My love to you for showing me what a true beautiful loving marriage looks like... I pray that you keep all the years of laughter and joy in your heart forever. You, Olie, were and always will be simply the best!
Love to you, your friends and family
Love
Pauline Hodge, RN BSN
Dianne & Steve Fazio
June 2, 2011
Olie and Cristina (she surely must know what's in our hearts now). I think I've been most moved by the teasing back and forth between the two of you, right up to her final days. The humor was part of your grieving process, just as it was a highlight of your marriage. We're so impressed with her full life despite the MS! We will miss her so very much--her smile, her bright light. Love,
Phil & Nancy Salway
May 31, 2011
We were saddened to hear of your loss. You and Cris came to our house for a party and when she came into the room, her smile lit it up. Our prayers are with you during this time.
May 31, 2011
There really are no words. She will be sorely missed. I will always remember the days we spent together just having fun. Olie, look to Jesus to fill your void. That is what she would have wanted. Love, Janice
May 30, 2011
Dearest Olie, I was extremely saddened when I read Cristina's obituary in the newspaper today. She was one of the best friends that I ever had,we had great memories of our school years together. She always made me smile, always made me feel better. Several years ago I wrote this cute "remembrance" of one of our days after school. When I emailed it to her, she loved it. I am hoping that it is ok to share this now:
“MA MA MIA”
It was a nice, warm spring day. School had let out, Portland High was not far from Grandma’s home on Cumberland Avenue. Cris and I walked to there. We opened the door, walked in. Granny had made fresh ITALIAN pizza. Old Italian style, none of this “American-Amatos-Pizza Hut” crap. We were looking at pizza in a pan like I had never seen before. It was thick, smelled of tomato sauce, veggies and meat alright, but the old-fashioned Italian smell. Granny had just finished it, took it out of the oven. It was sitting on top of the stove. I remember looking at it and asking what it was. I also remember how lucky I thought Cris was, to have such a wonderful Granny. Grandpa was sitting in the livingroom, watching TV. They all spoke to each other, and I listened in wonder “what are they saying?” Italian language. And along with the Italian language, a person HAD to have the dancing arms and hands to help express the words. I loved this experience, I’m in another world.
Cris said to me “Granny wants gingerale”. We walk to the store around the corner and purchase it for her. Granny never felt the need to learn to speak English, the Italian language was just fine.
We walk back from the store to Granny’s place. We approach the door, and we smell something funny, but think nothing of it. We open the door and walk in. Granny has taken her ironing board out and was ironing Grandpa’s pants, as she always dutifully did. In order to make the pants just perfect, Granny needed spray-starch. Then, the funny smell was stronger. Because Granny was not able to speak or read English, she had a bottle of Windex which she thought was starch. She sprayed again on Grandpa’s pants, and ironed.
Cris exclaimed, “MA MA MIA, MA MA MIA, NO NO NO….(laughing)… Windex, Windex, you have Windex, not starch”….
We all laughed, this was the funny smell. Granny gasped, put her hand to the side of her face as Italian people do, and laughed too.
This was and is one of the sweetest moments of my entire life, I shall never forget. I can still smell the Windex.
This is a true memory; to this day I still think of this when I see a bottle of Windex.
I will always have a special place in my heart for her... she was truly God's gift to us all.
Norene Tibbetts
Sonny+Helen McAlpin
May 30, 2011
Christina Olsen, our friend and neighbor: RIP
Helen+Sonny McAlpin
Sonny+Helen McAlpin
May 30, 2011
Christina Olsen, our friend and neighbor: RIP
Helen+Sonny
Janice Sullivan
May 30, 2011
She is now walking and dancing on the clouds.
Assunta Savage
May 29, 2011
With deepest sympathy for your loss.
May 29, 2011
Dear Olie, I was so shocked when I read the paper this evening. I could not believe my eyes. I am so sorry for your loss. Christina was the best of the best. You were truly soulmates. It was a privilege to know Christina. I will never, ever forgot the night at the IHC when she wanted to dance and you gracefully helped her out of her chair and placed her feet on top of yours to dance. That is true LOVE. God bless Christina and you too Olie. Your love will live on and on. Your friend, Marianne Reali
Wendy Fifer
May 29, 2011
Ervin, So very sorry about the loss of your wife Chris...Even though we seldom or ever see you, you will always be our "neighbor"...Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Wendy Bergstrom Fifer and Bruce Bergstrom
Cammy Reali
May 29, 2011
I am so sorry to hear of Christina's passing. She was truly a wonderful friend to so many people and touched so many peoples' lives. Ollie, you are a remarkable husband. I am grateful that she had you as a husband. God bless you always. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Linda & Darrel Zeman
May 29, 2011
Cris was our consummate pal for over 40 years, whether it we out on the town, going to concerts, taking the van to the drive-in movies, out for a good night of pasta or just sitting around and telling stories she was always the one who had the best one liners to get a smile out of us.
We believe there are a few of us who have known how strong the bond between these two people has been for the last 39 years but we were there from day one and know that very few could be so bonded as Cris & Olie were. A few who remember 183 on the glass door of their Sawyer Street home probably get it.
Cris will be missed but I doubt that any of us will ever forget her smile and wise cracks.
Our sadness is miniscule in comparison to what Olie has lost.
OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH YOU OLIE EVEN THOUGH WE CAN NOT BE THERE!
Annie Gagnon
May 29, 2011
I would like to say that I have lost a very special friend, Cristina has always been special to me, so genuine in her friendship, you will be so sadly missed sweety, that little gentle voice I remember, you have always been special to me and always will be!!!! The photos are very nice in this Memorial, I've seen parts of Cristinas life I never knew of, her happiness with Ollie is to be marveled, they had true love, through it all, I am so grateful that Cris had you Ollie, you are a very special man, and she told me this many many times!!! My prayers and thoughts are with you and the family, love Annie Blake Deveau Gagnon
May 29, 2011
God Bless with all our love, tammie and Gail Terison
Patricia Peters
May 29, 2011
Words can't express how I am going to miss Cris. She has been an inspiration to everyone that her paths have crossed. Walking into work with a back ache or sore feet and thinking about what she has been going through,and telling myself to suck it up!
The best thing was making her laugh these past couple of months knowing that she didn't feel good. Always had a kind word for everyone that she knew.
Olie, again I want to say that you were the best husband a girl could ask for. I know that you are going to miss that woman so much, but she is a peace now. She went the way she wanted to go with no regrets!
Kim Murray
May 28, 2011
In shock and tears. I just read about Cris' passing!!! I am so so sorry for you and for our loss. Whit has lost her God Mother and I have lost a dear friend. Why does life pass before our eyes? Why does life not give us enough time to say Good-Bye? I mustn't forget all those Sundays we have to treasure all the times on the boat, dances & parties at the Heritage Center. Without you, Cris' life could never have been so full & full of life!! Remember- to Cris " sleep was a waste of time" but she loved to sleep in !!! Olie for 38 years you surely were the husband of the year to Cris. You deserve so much peace & love. Cris & God will keep you strong & wrapped in love. Cris you will be missed beyond words can say! You put up an amazing fight -your health was a battle but you did not let it stop you from Living. Our lives have been so blessed with you in it. Your spirit & faith can carry on in those you loved. Cris rest in peace and say hi to God for me!! Continue to bless us & hold us dear as we will sorely miss you. Love the Murray's
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