The family of Christine "Chris" Ann Starkey are very sad to announce her peaceful passing at the DECH on December 1st, 2024. Chris was born in Walsall, England on February 13, 1943 the youngest daughter of Doris and Gerald Starkey.
After her dad Gerald passed away at the age of 39 in 1945 in England, Doris married his brother Tom who was a trapper in western Canada. She then set sail with the 4 girls in tow on the ship Aquitania that landed in Halifax Pier 21 in 1947. They then made their way across Canada by train and arrived in the Debolt area in Northern Alberta. It was quite a change from an industrial city to a log house with no running water and lots of snow!
After graduating from high school Chris had several jobs in Grand Prairie and Toronto. Then in 1974 Chris moved to Oromocto in with her mother Doris and worked for NB Power for a number of years before retiring. Chris loved to curl and was very active at the Gage Club in Oromocto. Those were the days of bonspiels, doing skits, New Year’s Levees and generally having a great time! Of course, the pool and lawn dart parties at the Tosh’s were the highlight of the summer.
Chris is survived by her sisters Margaret (Sherman) Cunningham of Kleinberg, Ontario, and Doris Tosh of Fredericton, NB. She was predeceased by her sister Barbara Childs of Grand Prairie, Alberta, and her mother Doris Starkey of Oromocto. Also, her lifelong friend Jackie Arnott of Ripples, NB. Chris leaves behind many nieces and nephews scattered throughout Canada.
With much gratitude we express our thanks to all the staff of 4SE who took care of Chris the last three months. The care she received was that of great compassion, kindness and dignity and we as her family will be forever grateful. We would especially like to thank Amy (Social Worker) and Amanda (Discharge Planning) who worked very hard to help Chris be placed in Assisted Living before she got sick. Finally, a very heartfelt thank you to her friend and caregiver Lorraine Shriver who helped Chris over the past six years.
Bishop’s Funeral Home & Crematorium 540 Woodstock Road Fredericton have been entrusted with the arrangements. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed through to www.bishopsfuneralhome.com
At her request cremation has taken place. A private Interment will take place next summer in Alberta. She always dreamed of returning to western Canada and now at long last she will return and be at peace.