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Christine Pahl
1947 - 2017
Christine Pahl
1947 - 2017
Obituary
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Christine Pahl Obituary
June 9, 1947- June 10, 1947
Mill City - Chris was born in Portland, OR to Martin and Reva Reed. She left us suddenly to be with her Lord and Savior just one day past her 70th birthday. Chris grew up in Portland with her two siblings David and Linda. After David's death the family moved to the Aurora area. Chris attended Concordia college then went on to graduate from Valporaiso University in 1970. She married Bernie Tonroy the day after graduation then moved to Minnesota and eventually Kansas.
In 1996 Chris married Jon Pahl and returned to Mill City, OR to be near family. Chris worked as a licensed professional counselor for Marion County. She dedicated her life to her family and helping others. She was an accomplished pianist and played for churches in Kansas and Oregon. She loved to hike, cross country ski, and play Rumicube with family and friends.
Chris is survived by her sister, Linda (Bob) Netter of Gates, son Jeremy Tonroy of Salem, son Nathan Tonroy of Mill City, daughter Dr. Catherine (Jeremy) Jones of Lubbock, Texas, son Barry of Kansas and 7 grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life will be held 11 AM Saturday, June 17th at the First Christian Chrurch, 233 SW 3rd Ave, Mill City, OR.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Elizabeth DeMelio
June 8, 2022
I do not think a day goes by that I do not think of my dear friend Chris!! She always made me laugh and I feel so blessed to have known her!! I sure do MISS her!!!
Susy Quinn
July 22, 2019
So sorry to learn of her passing. She was an amazing woman. Chris Pahl was someone you could trust with anything. She could see the truth and she could always see the best in people. That sounds so generic, but she was anything but generic. Im really sorry to learn shes gone.
Anthony Haro
March 14, 2019
R.I.P. Christine. Thank you very much for all of your kind honest advice you have given me, for being patient and letting vent out to you during our sessions together, and for making me feel better about myself.
You were the greatest counselor ever to me, and I will never forget all of the advice you have given me. My full condolences go out to you and your family. God bless you Christine. Rest in Peace.
Amanda Brentano
November 22, 2017
Before my husband and I got married, we saw Chris to discuss some personal issues we were having. We received not only amazing marriage advice, but also received such compassion and she changed our perspective on how to handle daily stress. She will be greatly missed!
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Teddie Rohme
July 19, 2017
I'm so sorry John! I wish the best for Chirs's family. I know most of you don't me, or who the he'll I am, but Chris, with newly Degree from Western Oegon University, in Monmouth. I could tell you some stories. We worked together for about 4 yrs. In and 2 yrs out. I know her struggles that she had, and so bravely takled breast cancer twice, and beat it, and she told me she would not be able to beat it a third time. I don't know axactlly what she passed on, but I'm sure I could figure it out if I had a real need, but a I want to remember her when she was here with us. A death certificate will never due her Justic, and reveal who she so Galantly was.
She was very special, and I believe she is watching over us all right this very minute!!! Thanks Chris!
teddierohme@gmail
My name is Teddie.
971-218-0488
Cindy
July 18, 2017
I have just heard about the passing of Chris. I worked with her on a number of cases that we shared. She was generous with her knowledge and was a fierce and determined woman. If she said she was going to get something done-she did! She was the person I would call when I needed to know how to get things done, or what person I needed to contact. She was kind and a delight just to talk with, and I will miss her strength, wisdom, and utter determination to get through multiple systems for the benefit of clients. Wishing her family peace and light.
June 23, 2017
Chris was a passionate advocate for the mentally ill and a good friend. The world is less without her. Kathy Yonker
Judy Bennett
June 16, 2017
A sad loss of a brilliant woman and shining soul. I was just at the beginning of a friendship full of possibilities. I regret a lost opportunity and I've learned that one should never put off returning the phone call or answering the email. My condolences to her family and friends.
Linda Keller
June 16, 2017
Chris has been a long time cherished friend. We met 21 years ago while I was a faculty member and Chris was a student in Western Oregon University's Rehabilitation Counseling program. She was most assuredly one of our stellar graduates and was even appointed to serve as our program's graduate assistant. After Chris graduated from Western with a master's degree in counseling, we became colleagues in the field and our professional paths crossed many times including contracted work we both did for VA. In a short time, our professional cross over experiences morphed into a friendship that endured for over 2 decades.
In addition to her expert clinical counseling skills, Chris was an amazing teacher. She presented at many professional workshops and over the years served as a guest lecturer in several of my graduate classes, sharing incredibly uplifting stories that detailed her efforts in supporting persons with long-term mental illness. Chris recently spoke to graduate students on Trauma Informed Care and the Impact of Trauma by those served in the mental health system in my Crisis and Trauma Counseling course. Students consistently commented on how much they appreciated Chris' clinical experience and heartfelt passion for helping the marginalized and hurting. Here are just a few excerpts from 7 students posted just a few months ago regarding her recent presentation:
1. The presentation by Chris Pahl was right up my alley. Her focus on Trauma Informed Care and implementation has been one of my strongest interests while working in the mental health fieldit was clear that she is a tremendous resource, holding an abundance of wisdom and knowledge surrounding Trauma Informed Care. One of the things that struck me most about her presentation was not only her passion for the subject but also the monumental effort needed to steer agencies towards the policies they implement.
2. I was especially interested in Chris' presentation and felt that she had a lot of interesting concepts that I had thought about earlier in my own work as a counseling intern, for example: she mentioned that neglect and abandonment are the two largest contributing factors to overall trauma, which made a lot of sense to me. When I worked in my internship I could see a lot of people who suffered with various types of trauma, and most, if not all those cases involved some sort of early childhood neglect and abandonment. Thanks Chris!
3. Christina mentioned in her presentation that many of her clients had gone through their lives never realizing that it was not their fault, and unfortunately had gone through their own developmental stages carrying the shame and guilt from their parent's actions and behaviors. Chris gave a very helpful explanation that the trauma inflicted by these two factors can lead a child to grow up with maladaptive core beliefs or schemas that there is something fundamentally wrong with them and that they are unlovable which can be incredibly destructive to and overall healthy sense of self, and maintain successful relationships which is vital to recovery of trauma.
4. This week's lecture by Chris on PTSD and trauma care was a real eye opener. She provided me with a new perspective regarding why some people do the things they do that might be categorized as unexplainable when it comes to why. Several things stood out to me that I would like to remember. On the topic of trauma's impact, Chris stated that many behaviors by those who have experienced trauma that are socially objectionable and even destructive are also the individual's only method of coping with overwhelming and uncontrollable emotions. Chris explained that If traumatized people are to stop using these type of coping skills, then they must first be offered better substitutes, most importantly, healthy and sustaining human relationships.
5. Our guest speaker, Chris Pahl shared many interesting points and experiences. One of the pieces that stood out to me the most was the ShhTheory that she developed and shared. While it is similar to some of the other concepts we have been discussing in class, but the way she presented it put a different spin onto it that made a lot of sense to me. It also helped to have the great handout visual to make it more concrete. Being able to share with clients that they are not the problem, but there is hope to get out of the problem they are facing can be such a valuable change in perspective for the client. Another piece that stood out to me was a quote she shared by Sandra Bloom which stated something along the lines that the unacceptable behaviors that people have in society are often the only way people know how to respond to the circumstances they are facingthey don't know the culturally appropriate ways of coping.
6. Christina Pahl's presentation was enjoyable due to her experience, knowledge and obvious passion for the topic of Trauma Informed Care. She offered valuable information on where this need comes from, the definition and impact of trauma, as well as looking at the Medical Model. I also enjoyed her SHH.Theory as it simply and effectively allows for an understanding of how beliefs, behaviors, and results are all related.
7. Chris shared a story about a woman experiencing re-traumatization during in incident where 5 individuals where restraining her. This type of intervention can seem severe and should only be used as a last resort but at times is very necessary. As Chris stated, trauma responses often get misinterpreted as defiance, or ignorance and clients get filtered into special education programs or judicial systems without getting the help that they actually need. Efforts have been made to improve this however; there is still a long way to go. As Chris stated, even clinicians were unable to get Complex Trauma recognized in the DSM 5.
These student quotes give a glimmer of the significance of the knowledge and expertise that Chris eagerly shared in helping counselors-in-training. She impacted many (colleagues and clients) in the mental health work she did for over 20 years. It is with deep sadness to say good-bye to Chris. I will treasure my memories of good times with Chris. I was always uplifted by her steadfast support and encouragement as we both have grown sons with disabilities and shared our journeys with surviving breast cancer. Chris loved to share stories and pictures about her life's jewels, her four children and 7 grand children. She was so proud of each of her kids and could not say enough of her grand kids. I will fondly remember Chris for her endless energy; her can do attitude, great sense of humor, and her tenacity to advocate for the lost. Chris walked the talk in loving her family, friends, and the clients she served. She truly showed me what it is like to be a Christ like servant.
Lori
June 16, 2017
My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends during this difficult time. I hope that the promise in 1 Thessalonians 4:14 can bring comfort. Knowing that there's a hope for the ones we have lost in death can be so reassuring.
peggie Love
June 15, 2017
I met Christine years ago when we were both working at Oregon State hospital as Counselors. She had a lot of great professional experiences to share and teach. I met up with her again while she was working at Marion County. RIP Christine you will be greatly missed. Thank you so much for what you taught me.
Elizabeth DeMelio
June 15, 2017
I love you my PRECIOUS friend, and I miss you so much!! I have so many happy and wonderful memories of you and can not imagine not being able to see you anymore and hug you and laugh and do all the things we used to do. Rest in Peace my PRECIOUS Friend ~
Elizabeth DeMelio
June 14, 2017
Chris was my dear and wonderful friend, I loved her so so much I can not say!!! Chris was full of compassion and always cared about others, anyone in need or hurting. She had such a natural empathy for people and anyone who knew my Chris I know loved her as I do!!! Chris was also an absolutely amazing and fantastic Mom to her 4 children and Grandchildren!! She was a wonderful Sister, and if you were as blessed as I was to have her for a very dear friend than you were very lucky for Chris was a friend like no other, loving, caring, so so FUNNY and a true and devoted friend to the end!!! I LOVE YOU CHRIS XOXOX
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