Christine Marie Spence

1934 - 2015

Christine Marie (Kirkpatrick) Spence

Christine Spence, 81, passed away on October 13, 2015 at Richmond Beach Rehab in Shoreline, WA. She was born on September 7, 1934 in Oconto, NE to William and Anna (Frandsen) Kirkpatrick. She is survived by her husband Malcolm, five children: Jennie, Amil, Kevin, Annie, and Evelyn, five grandchildren: Ryan, Shannon, Jamison, Jeremy, and Rachael, daughter in law Sandra, and a sister, Mary Montgomery (Redmond). She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Jack (Nebraska) and Max (Redmond), and sisters: Helen Carroll (Mississippi) and Norma Earle (Redmond). In addition she was an adored aunt to 15 nieces and nephews.

The memorial and burial services were held on October 16th at Cedar Lawns Funeral Home and Cemetery in Redmond, which was attended by numerous family members and friends.

Christine's family moved west from Nebraska in 1938 and settled on a rural farm in the Redmond area next to Allen Lake (formerly Mud Lake). They raised chickens and grew their own vegetables. She and Betty Windsor Kalan (Redmond) grew up best of friends. Prior to graduating from Lake Washington High School in 1952, she met her future husband, Malcolm Spence. After high school she worked at Seattle First National Bank, then at Air Reduction Company. She married Malcolm on December 15, 1956 and remained in the Seattle Maple Leaf area where they raised their children, and where Kathy L'Heureux became a dear friend.

Christine was very family oriented and an anchor to us all, and always encouraged her children to do well in school. She enjoyed preparing home cooked meals and baking bread for her large family, gardening, and canning. Always drawn to nature and adventure, she loved to fish for trout at Twin Lakes on the Colville Reservation, fish for salmon, camp out, and dig razor clams. Closer to home, she enjoyed playing cards and games with family, and being a huge Mariners fan. Later, she cruised the Caribbean and Mexican Riviera with family. Her favorite interest by far though, was visiting with family and friends and asking about how everyone was doing. She was dedicated to writing creative and humorous letters and keeping in touch with relatives - near and far. An extremely hard working soul...whether picking blackberries for long periods of time, harvesting cords of firewood, planting large gardens of corn, or helping gather hay bales in the sun at the family farm, she was highly respected and admired for her work ethic, while also being fun and light hearted to work with. Part city, part country girl - for two decades she teamed up with Mac and family in raising their own beef, while concurrently working part time at J.C. Penney at Northgate during the 80s.

Christine suffered a stroke in May, 1995 while vacationing at Twin Lakes -- this left her paralyzed on her left side. She remained at home in Seattle for 15 years prior to moving to the nursing home in July, 2010. In spite of her many physical challenges, she maintained her strong will and great sense of humor. Her laughter, caring, and warm heart were the ultimate medicine -- both for herself and for those around her. Christine leaves us with a lifetime of loving memories that will be cherished and a part of all that we do every day, a legacy that will forever live within us all.