Obituary of Edna May Christie

Edna May Christie of Riverview, NB and formerly of Fort Erie, ON passed away at The Moncton Hospital on Thursday, December 14, 2017. Born in Glace Bay, NS on All Saints Day, Nov. 1, 1929. She was a daughter of the late Arthur and Elizabeth (MacInnis) Lee. Survived by daughters: Elizabeth (Don) Holdsworth of Fort Erie ON, Julie Fehr of Riverview NB, Debbie Christie of Riverside-Albert NB and Bonnie (Peter) Haddad of Riverview NB sons: Duke (Karen) Christie of Great Keppel Island Australia, Joel (Christine) Christie of Niagara Falls ON, Kirk (Diane) Christie of Fort Erie ON and Paul Christie of Langley BC. Edna is also survived by her loving sister, Rachel Shaw of Glace Bay NS; by her grandchildren, Alisha (Joel) and Joel, Michael (Jessica), Krystal (Ben), and Curtis (Charlotte), Adam, and Elizabeth, Andrew (Melody) and Darel, and Jesse, as well as her step- grandchildren Kayla and Ryan; great- grandchildren: River and Zenya, Alma, Clover, Willow and Hazel, Iris, Axel, and Violet, Mika, Max, and Penelope, Edie and Eliza and Grace. In addition to her parents, Edna is predeceased by sisters: Murdena, Margaret, Elizabeth, Nora, Emma and Charlene; brothers: Jim, Alec and Buddy; son-in-law, Douglas and two precious grandsons, Eric and Patrick. Arrangements have been entrusted to Tuttle Brothers & Riverview Funeral Home 214 Pine Glen Rd. Riverview, NB (506) 857-9544 Mom was raised in Glace Bay on beautiful Cape Breton Island in a big family full of love and adventure. She married our father Gerald Christie (1933-2014) also of Glace Bay and together they moved to Ontario to seek more opportunities. They had eight children together and raised us in a secure loving way. Our childhood was nothing short of magnificent, spending every summer in Glace Bay, securing that life long bond with our Grandparents and all of our Cousins and Aunts and Uncles in that little town. We also knew, visited and loved our cousins and Aunts and Uncles elsewhere. 56 first cousins in total! What a gift our Mother and Father gave us. Some of our cousins also came and stayed at our house for weeks or months or even a year. That didn't phase mom or dad at all, they were happy to have one more. Mom was a very laid back person and had great maternal instincts. She was patient and kind and never criticized us. How many people can say that? She was good to our friends, in fact she was good to everyone. With all she had to do in raising eight kids, she found the time to be involved in the school PTA. It was good that the school staff knew her well. One day when our brother Joel was a toddler he somehow locked himself in the bathroom. Without hesitation mom ran to the school (only 3 houses away) and yelled for the caretaker Mr. Cudney to run to our house and get the door open, and he did. She thanked him the next day with a batch of her delicious peanut butter cookies. Our house was always full of kids. Her kids, the neighbor kids, and other peoples kids that she babysat. She looked after a boy with down syndrome for years. Joey was loved and accepted just like any of us. When my daughter was born with down syndrome mom said, "oh that's nothing, don't worry about that", and she was right. Mom came to live with me 22 years ago. We never had so much as an argument in all those years. We were best friends, partners in the journey of life. We looked out for each other and enjoyed each other’s company. She helped me raise my kids and adored them. It would be impossible to thank her enough for all she did. She loved all of her grandchildren and great grandchildren immensely and would be there in a minute if anyone needed her. There was no limit on her time or patience. She could be so funny at times. She was asked this summer when reminiscing about her childhood, what was the best most exciting thing that ever happened on Fourth St (where she grew up), immediately she said "oh that was the day that I was born". Everyone laughed so hard. Mom adored her brothers and sisters and longed to be with them. In her hospital room just days ago, she announced to us that Jim, her beloved brother (who passed long ago) was now in her room with her and I truly believe that he was. After an exemplary 88 years on this earth, I know she is completely happy now, surrounded with love and peace. Her legacy is us, her children. How blessed we all are to have had such a Mother as her. Our memories of her will fill the rest of our lives as we aspire to be even half that person she was. Mom was cremated as she wished and we will take her ashes to her so loved Glace Bay where she will be buried with her brothers and sisters and parents. If you have not already seen the picture video that Kirk made, please watch it. Just click on the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfAuG6v55qc&feature=share You can also go to our facebook page to see obituary and share link to your own Facebook page. Burial Information Glace Bay, NS