Christine Leinbach

Christine K. Leinbach NORFOLK - Christine K. Leinbach, 54, was called into God's arms Nov. 2, 2009 at 1:05 a.m. She is survived by her loving spouse of nearly 20 years, Robert J. Jakobowski, and predeceased by her parents, James A. Leinbach and Ruth Rogers. Loving memories from her husband: "Chris and I met at the Animal Care Center on Jan. 9, 1990. I was just out of the U.S. Navy and tried to get a deal on a bag of Iams dog food because my bulldog had just had eye surgery. Chris was tall, blond and was known as the bird lady of Norfolk. The Compass even did an article on her. We talked and decided to meet that night. We hit it off and have been together since. We moved to Connecticut so I could get pipe welding education, then headed back to Norfolk due to her mother's illness. Pugs were always a passion of Chris' and we began raising, breeding and showing them. She taught me so much about both life and pugs. She developed a passion in me for pugs and I will never forget the first time she and I delivered our first litter. Chris was an amazing person and I can't believe her dedication to the quality and health of her pugs. I also can't believe how she impacted my life with her presence. Chris was in Hospice care for the past 18 months. They even asked her to participate in a video in hopes that it would help people she didn't know to get care and screening. She was a loving and caring person until the end. Chris was one grand lady and I loved her a lot, now it's time to let her go and take her back to the Smokey Mountains where she was born. I will spread her ashes with her mother's so they will always be together in God's country." Donations can be made at Suntrust Bank under the name, Christine Leinbach Memorial Fund. Proceeds will be divided between Hospice and Pug Rescue, one of which was her saving grace at the end and the other was her passion. Cremation Society of Virginia is assisting the family. "Chris - Forever loved, Bob."