Christine A. Scharmer

1952 - 2021

Christine A. Scharmer
Feb. 22, 1952 - Dec. 19, 2021
Martinez
After a nearly six-month struggle against follicular lymphoma, Chrissy died in her cherished home with husband Mark at her side, holding her hand, when she took her last breath. At age 7 Chrissy, her older brother, and parents moved from Bright, Indiana, to California. The family settled in Contra Costa County, where Chrissy and her parents (predeceasing her in 2015 and 2018) resided ever since 1960. In 1976 Chrissy started a 31-year career as a teacher in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District, starting as a special education instructor and later teaching First through Fourth Grades. Chrissy owned a horse as a teenager in Walnut Creek. In her early 30s she fulfilled her childhood dream of owning a home with space for horses. From 1992 to 2004 she served on the Volunteer Mounted Patrol's Search and Rescue unit for the East Bay Regional Park District. In 2002 her then 18-year-old son Mario Scharmer was horribly injured in an automobile crash that left him with severe brain injuries. The doctors told Chrissy that Mario would remain in a vegetative state the rest of his life. Never one to shrink from a challenge, Chrissy was fiercely determined to prove them wrong. She took an early retirement from teaching and dedicated the rest of her life to her disabled son's care and rehabilitation. In 2009 she self-published a book, Raising Mario Twice: How Love Can Transform a Life After a Tragic Accident, about the first seven years of Mario's struggle. In 2019, she self-published a second edition, Raising Mario Twice: The Journey Continues, to include the next decade of Mario's inspirational recovery. That same year, she, Kelli Gayle and James Manalisay produced a film, Wake Up & Be Love (available on Amazon Prime), about Mario's zest for life (the film features him skydiving) and his mission to spread love and inspiration to all of the people of the world. In lieu of flowers, donations towards Mario's continued support would be most welcome. Checks should be mailed to Mario's discretionary trust fund, payable to Mario J. Scharmer DTF, P.O. Box 5346, Walnut Creek, CA 94596. Chrissy is survived by her husband Mark Scharmer, her brother Marc Boman, her first-born son and his wife, Miguel and Viri Scharmer, her grandchildren Donovan and Alessandra, and of course her Mario.
Brandi Zapalac
Family Care Specialist
Phone: 844-942-4909
Ext. 0013#


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