Christine Dorner Seemann

Crystal was born December 26, 1920 to Hermann and Margarete Dorner, in Norden, Germany. She passed away peacefully in Shell Beach, California on March 9, 2017. Crystal was athletic, musical, and artistic-owing her athieticism to growing up with three brothers. She studied gymnastics at the Medau Schule in Berlin and became a gymnastics teacher in Stuttgart.

 

WWII disrupted Crystal's career and greatly affected her family. In 1952 American professor, Dr. Erich Seemann swept her off her feet. They married a year later in Frankfurt, sailed to New York and settled in Columbus,, Ohio. Son Eric Martin was soon joined by siblings Walter, Heidi and Marion. Christine was a wonderful mother, getting involved in PTA and Cub Scouts. She and her daughters joined the National Charity League, where she served as President of the Santa Barbara Chapter.

Christine's husband, Erich, passed away in 1978. She found solace in participating as a Board member of CAMA- the Community Arts Music Association. Christine was subsequently invited to become a Board member of the Music Academy of the West. She served as President of the Academy for two years and was a board member for twelve. Her days were filled with the richness of music, which she loved her entire life.

Christine traveled from Norway to Egypt, from Rio to Malaysia, China and St. Petersburg. She created beautiful landscape paintings which she gifted to many loved ones. "Omi" taught her children and six grandchildren a love of music, an appreciation for beauty, and exemplified a disciplined and positive outlook in life.

Christine was treasured by her four children Eric, Walter (Stella), Heidi (Frank), and Marion (Patrick). Omi is also survived by grandchildren she adored, Suzanna, Nick, Richard, Miles, Eric and Marguerite. Her great grandchildren, Tyson and Roman of Shell Beach, especially appreciated her cookie jar. Christine was proceeded in death by her parents, brothers Werner, Volker, Rolf and many close friends.

Private services were held on March 16, at the Santa Barbara Cemetery.