Jean Christopher, 91, passed away peacefully April 9, 2018.
If life can be described as a book, then Jean McIlvain Christopher’s story would be one of adventure, resilience and love – with the moral being that you should live your life boldly. She certainly lived that way. She went against what was expected of her in more than one way – becoming a nurse during WWII against the wishes of her family, and later rebelling by eloping with her husband, the late Dominic Christopher. She boldly moved her young family to homestead in Alaska the year it became a state, earned her pilots license, and cared for others as a nurse during the Alaska Good Friday Earthquake. Jean raised 5 incredible children (William, Mary, Robert, James, and David), and embraced her ever growing family of in-laws, grandkids (14), and great grandchildren (7). Proving you’re never too old to have an adventure, she tent camped in Denali National Park well into her 70’s. It’s not often you meet someone who spent childhood summers at the beach in Lewes, DE and adult winters in Alaska.
With a full life spanning almost a century, Jean certainly experienced change. At 91 years young she remained convinced that the best invention in her lifetime was the washing machine, followed closely by the internet. After the 2016 Presidential election, she commented that “at least I was able to see the first African American President. The women will get it someday.”
She instilled important values about family, commitment, perseverance and strength to all of those who knew her.. Her family considers themselves lucky to have been able to have her in their lives for as long as they did, and will miss her dearly.
Funeral Mass Saturday 11am at Our Lady of Charity Church, 231 Upland Rd., Brookhaven, PA, 19015. Visitation Saturday 9:30-11am at the church. Burial SS Peter and Paul Cemetery, Springfield, PA.
Arrangements by Bateman-Allen Funeral Home, online condolences can be sent via www.batemanallenfuneralhome.com
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