Christine May Joyner

1947 - 2025

Christine May Joyner
Christine May Joyner, May 6, 1947 - September 23, 2025
Long-time resident of Manchester, CT, Chris passed away in Farmington, CT, from complications following a years long struggle with dementia. Family gathered from near and far to spend time with Chris in her last days.
Chris was born in Manchester to Walter H. and Wilma J. (Shade) Joyner. As a child, her family moved several times (Springfield, MA and Park Forest, IL) but always returned to Manchester, where her father eventually served in the Connecticut House of Representatives for the 12th District. A lifelong learner, she graduated from Manchester High School, University of Pennsylvania (BA, History and Sociology of Science), Renesslaer Polytechnic Institute (MS, Business Management/Organizational Behavior), University of Connecticut (Teacher Certification Program for College Graduates; MbEIN, RN), and Hartford International University for Religion and Peace (formerly Hartford Seminary, Graduate Certificates, Women's Spiritual Leadership and Interfaith Religious Studies).
As is evident from her many areas of studies, Chris led an interesting and varied life. She lived on a Quaker farm/commune outside Philadelphia, put herself through undergraduate studies while working, learned Mandarin and served as a translator at a time when that language was not commonly spoken outside of China, taught in schools both public and private as well as the state prison system, was a Reiki master and instructor, became a Registered Nurse late in life, helped settle refugees fleeing war around the world into her local community, and traveled throughout the world.
Chris was a life-long activist, from protesting the Vietnam War to marching for nuclear disarmament to supporting Black Lives Matter. She was a believer in the power of humanity and its ability to change and improve, and her faith and spirituality were key to this belief. She was confirmed at Manchester's Center Congregational church, and later she was a long-time member of the Unitarian Universalist Society East (UUSE) in Manchester, where she was actively involved in various affinity groups and programs, including social justice and climate action.
She is survived by her two children, Ben Kibbe and wife Kathy, and Katie Barkasy; her four grandchildren who she adored, Emily and Grace Kibbe, and Zephyr and Anora Barkasy; brother Steve Joyner and wife Carol; and sister Penny Shimchick and husband George.
A memorial service followed by a reception will be held at the Unitarian Universalist Society East in Manchester on Saturday, November 1 at 10:30am. The family would like to thank the hospice team at UConn Health, as well as the caregivers at Arden Courts in Farmington for their support in recent years. For online condolences, please visit www.thegreencremation.com.