Harriet Christie, of Nelson, BC, died peacefully at Mountain Lakes Senior Community on Tuesday, May 20, 2014, at the age of 101. She was born Harriet Adelaide Page on August 16, 1912, in Peace Dale, Rhode Island, to Chester and Mary Elizabeth Page (Ellison). She was the third of seven children, and eldest daughter. At the age of 12, Harriet moved from Rhode Island with her family and eventually settled in Salem, Oregon, where her father owned and operated a successful woolen mill.
Harriet graduated from high school in 1929, majoring in home economics and nutrition. After graduating she worked for her father at his mill and helped run the Page household. In 1932 she met and fell in love with a young Canadian, Frederick Christie. They eloped and she returned to Canada with him to start a family. Together they had four children and lived in several communities throughout the East and West Kootenay.
Harriet was a lady of many talents. She was a proficient writer, who wrote articles for the Nelson Daily News and several short stories. Harriet was an accomplished piano player. She was a wonderful seamstress and excellent cook, well known for her delicious cakes. She was a member of the Eastern Star in Slocan for several years in the 1950’s, as well as a member of the Women’s Institute, helping to initiate the first and only library in Slocan at the time.
Harriet lived her life without limitations. She road bikes, swam, and learned to drive both cars and trucks, all this, despite falling ill to polio as a child, leaving her physically disabled. Harriet is remembered for her great enjoyment of chocolate, wine, music, and the company of friends and family.
Harriet was survived by her youngest sister, Mary Elizabeth Hanson Torland of Tigard, Oregon; her son Herb Christie (June) of Bear Lake, BC; daughters Mary Ann Katona (Gabe) of Comox, BC, and Carole Christie of Aldergrove, BC; twelve grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; two great-great grandsons; and many American nieces and nephews.
Harriet was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Frederick Christie; her eldest daughter Julia Elizabeth McGuire; grandson, Thom McGuire; and all but one of her siblings.
With fond memories of a long life, the family of Harriet Christie celebrate her life with a service on Monday, May 26, 2014, at the Dumont Creek Cemetery in Winlaw, BC.
The family would like to give their sincere appreciation to the staff at Mountain Lakes Senior Community for their years of care, and a special thank you to Harriet’s grandson, Ray Christie, for his many, many years of devotion, love, and care of his grandma.