Pauline R. Christy Ph.D.

1924 - 2016

Pauline R. Christy, PhD

1924 ~2016

At age 92, Pauline died peacefully May 20, 2016, in her Lake Forest Park home. Pauline was born in South Tacoma to Harold and Ella Enger who owned Enger Hardware on South Tacoma Way. Pauline graduated Valedictorian from Clover Park High School. She had two brothers, Harold Enger, deceased and Otto Enger, retired CPA, of Seattle.

At the University of Washington she was a member of Alpha Phi and graduated with two BA degrees. She then taught fourth grade at Beacon Hill Elementary before marrying Ted Christy and subsequently moving to Boise, Idaho for four years due to Ted's promotion as Branch Manager of his company.

In Boise Pauline was very active as President of the 200 plus member Newcomers Club and as a Director of the Boise Art Museum. She loved skiing at Bogus Basin and picking wild asparagus in the area canals with friends. In 1962 Pauline and Ted adopted two natural brothers, Patrick and Dirk, ages 4 and 7, just before Ted was transferred to Salt Lake City as Division Manager of his company.

In Salt Lake they joined the Cottonwood Club making many new friends playing tennis and she took up skiing at Alta during the week when the kids were in school.

The kids presented challenges which got Pauline interested in psychology. At the University of Utah she received her MA and PhD in Clinical Psychology. She accepted a position as Assistant Professor at Weber State College, in Ogden, and subsequently Associate Professor. During her sabbaticals she worked for a year in both Las Vegas and Reno for the State mental Health division, a year at the University of Tennessee on an Appalachian Mental Health program and a year at San Jose, California just for the fun of it. During this period the kids grew up and both enlisted in the military service after High School.

After several years Pauline and Ted decided they had enough of the hot dry climate in the Intermountain area and decided to return to the beautiful, cool, Pacific Northwest arriving in 1981. Pauline worked for a year at the Western State Hospital in Steilacoom as a staff Psychologist then opened her own private practice in Lynnwood close to their Lake Forest Park home. She loved her practice helping people cope with their problems and realizing their potential.

In the early 1970's Pauline and Ted got the travel bug, as many do. They bought backpacks and Eurail passes and travelled the world for the next 30 years mostly without reservations. It was exciting. Eventually they took a few tours but usually did independent travelling. USA travel included all of the red rock country of the Southwest, the Southeastern USA area and visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico for a week or more every year for about 25 years.

Pauline is survived by her husband, two sons and one brother, plus nephews, nieces and cousins. Since there will be no services, those surviving old friends and relatives may raise a toast to Pauline in their memories. Donations, if you wish, to your favorite charity.