Christine died peacefully and with grace, surrounded by family, after a short battle with cancer on October 15, 2023. She was born on April 30, 1938, in Sutton, Surrey, England.
Christine is survived by her loving husband David and by her three sons, John, Andrew and Mark; grandchildren, Nicholas, Ethan, Oliver and Charlotte Wooldridge; Ben, Noah and Simon Watts-Wooldridge; and Devon and Megan Wooldridge. Chris will be missed by her many other relatives and friends.
Christine was educated at Saint Catherine’s School for Girls at Bramley near Guildford, Surrey; Magdalen College, Oxford and Waterperry Horticultural School. Christine graduated in 1957 by examination as a member of the Royal Horticultural Society, finishing seventh out of 730 applicants in the country. Her ability to identify every plant and tree, wild and cultivated, was phenomenal.
Christine and David were married in 1961 after meeting and falling in love enroute from England to Canada on The Empress of Britain in June 1960; Christine was on a family holiday and David was emigrating to Canada. This whirlwind romance led to a long, loving and interesting life together, first in Calgary and then moving to Salt Spring Island in 1976, and then on to Duncan and Shawnigan Lake and with the last two years of her life in Victoria, sharing with David all their mutual interests, especially their three sons.
Chris’ interests included breeding and showing horses and dogs, particularly Highland Ponies, Highland Pony crosses and Norwegian Elkhounds. She was committed to teaching children to ride and had a deep belief that a horse of a smaller stature would enable young children to develop a lifelong love of horses and horsemanship. She was also dedicated to gardening and horticulture and had a lifelong love of choral singing including time with the Calgary Renaissance Singers, the Victoria Amity Singers and the Victoria Philharmonic Choir, of which she was a founding member. Christine started the BCSPCA branch on Salt Spring Island, motivated by her interest in animal welfare. As the first Inspector on the island, she rescued and rehabilitated many domestic and wild animals including bald eagles, raccoons and swans.
Christine was a member of the Elite Racing Club of the UK and she owned a small share of several top horses. Her memory again enabled her to remember and recount the breeding and history of the top 100 horses in the country.
A celebration of Christine’s life will be held December 1, 2023, at Christ Church Cathedral, 930 Burdett Avenue, in Victoria, BC, at 11:00 AM. A reception will follow.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the BCSPCA or the Victoria Philharmonic Choir.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
-
Margie Newman (Robson)
-
Linda Ellen I just heard the sad news. I remember Chris fondly from singing with her in the Victoria Philharmonic Choir. Sincere condolences to David and her sons and grandchildren. I wish I could attend the service but I will be away. Much love, Linda Ellen
-
Nancy Peck Dear Mark and family, I am writing to offer my deepest sympathy on the loss of your mother and grandmother. I did not know her, but Mark, I knew you through many years of working together. She raised a very fine son and she must have been very proud of you, and all your family. It’s apparent that she shared with you her wonderful wit and dry sense of humour – traits that I always cherished with any interaction I had with you!
I hope that your memories of happy times together as a family provide some comfort to you as you transition to life without her.
With my sincere wishes for peace and blessings to you all,
Nancy Peck
-
Carolyn Affleck I was saddened to hear recently about Christine’s passing. I knew her from Victoria Philharmonic Choir. It wasn’t long after moving to Victoria that I joined the choir, and not long after that when my husband died. Chris and David were incredibly kind to me, making me feel welcomed and supported.
I sat next to Chris in choir whenever I had the chance, knowing I could always rely on her if I lost my way in the music. Over the years I got to know her as a woman of quiet dignity, sharp wit, great talent, energy and compassion. I loved what a devoted couple Chris and David were, and I am sad for his loss. For all our loss. My heart is with David and the whole family.
-
Barbara Stewart Rest well Christine. It was a pleasure to know you even for a few years as part of the Victoria Philharmonic Choir. You were an inspiration – for all the good years you sang and the pleasure you brought. You will be missed.
-
Mrs Jean Booth, Christine's cousin. I send my sincere condolences to you all on your sad loss. I think back fondly to the happy occasion of your Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrations, when I was pleased to fly over to join you. I hope that your many happy memories will sustain you at this difficult time. My thoughts will be with you on the 1st of December.
With love to all,
Jean
-
Colin, Fiona and family It is with a heavy heart that we say goodbye to Chris. We have really not known you for many years but your calm a beauty, love of the garden and, biggest for me, music, will never be forgotten. We I visited your house at Shawnigan not long after you moved and the palpable excitement in your mind and eyes as you planned the new plot. Reeling off the names of all that would grow under your tender care. Just so many memories, thank you for being you.
-
Mrs Georgina Billin Christine was the cousin of my husband, Tony, who, sadly, passed away two years ago. I know he would have wanted me to send condolences on our behalf to you, David, and your family. He loved to tell me so many tales of his fond memories visiting Peaslake as a child. I will be thinking of you all on Friday 1st December as you celebrate Christine’s life.
God Bless, and love to you all,
Gina
To David, John, Andrew, and Mark,
I was so sorry to hear the news about Christine and wanted to let you know I am thinking of you all and also remembering with fondness your time at Christ Church in Calgary. Chris was always so kind and quietly supportive and I am sure you all miss her very much. Her name will be added to the list of former choristers when they are remembered with flowers at Christmas time.