Christine “Chris” E. Ross

"… tell my story." – the dying Hamlet’s final request to his friend Horatio, and Chris’s to me. She had to work Shakespeare in here somehow.

Chris died peacefully at her home in St. Andrews, NB, in the arms of her devoted husband of 45 years, Peter, with the assistance of Dr. Julia Wildish, MD, of the Horizon Health MAID program. Chris agreed with American Justice Lynn "Buck" Compton (of Band of Brothers fame), that "The right to die is an integral part of our right to control our own destiny so long as the rights of others are not affected." She was grateful for the changes in Canada that allow the MAID process, for Dr. Julia and her colleagues who assist those who are suffering intolerably.

Chris was born in 1956 at the Charlotte County Hospital, St. Stephen, NB. She was the youngest child of Inez (Dawson) and John Hawthorne. Chris grew up in Milltown, NB, but her favorite memories were of the glorious month she spent each summer on the farm of her grandparents, Christine and Edgar Dawson. Each morning there, she woke to the click and hum of Gramp’s radio, always tuned to CBC to hear the weather forecast. Then she’d snuggle close to Gram to watch the robin on the wind-up clock on the bedside table dip its beak into the earth to pull out a worm as she considered what she’d do that day. She collected eggs from the hen house, helped Gram bake, explored the brooks and gardens and visited the new animals, especially barn cats and the new calf: she loved sneaking it treats of oats and caressing its soft, wet muzzle. Always athletic, she delighted in jumping from the upper hayloft to the lower one while barn swallows swooped across her path.

Chris embodied many of the qualities of her ancestors. Like some, she was kind-hearted, genial, and generous, valuing good friends above all and was always there to help when needed. Like others, she was earnest, frank and sincere. From her great-grandfather, John G. Hamilton, she inherited her independent streak - a proclivity to be "answerable to no other person". She kept a child’s heart, always playful, enthusiastic, with a ready wit and a great sense of irony. Chris was unapologetically inclusive, believing that all people are capable of performing profound acts of love and compassion.

Chris loved learning and went back to university in her mid-thirties, where her love for literature flourished. She enjoyed all her classes and professors at UNB-SJ, but especially her courses with Dr. Robert Moore, who taught that, "Art is the antidote to, not the cause of madness." In novels and drama, Chris found the answers to many of life’s complex and paradoxical questions and light in times of darkness. She looked for and found beauty, joy and comfort everywhere: in her garden; at the beach – best with a golden retriever chasing golf balls; in books, music and films; in a painting or a well-made piece of furniture or pottery or a perfect peach pie. She supported the work of local artists and crafters when she could and friends have many examples of her own works.

She loved and was loved by her husband, Peter – golfer, pun master, fine craftsman, and uncle-extraordinaire. Theirs was a sometimes stormy match but Chris agreed with Enid Bagnold’s description of marriage: "In marriage there are no manners to keep up and beneath the wildest accusations no real criticism. Each is familiar with that ancient child in the other who may erupt again. We are not ridiculous to ourselves. We are ageless. That is the luxury of the wedding ring." While they had no children of their own, Chris loved her many nieces and nephews on both the Ross and Hawthorne sides and the many "always perfect" students whom she taught, tutored, and encouraged over the years.

Chronic pain as a result of fibromyalgia and treatment for breast cancer kept her out of the public sphere in her last years, when she devoted her time to Peter, their adored pets and close friends and family.

As Chris wanted, there will be no visitation or funeral. She died as she lived, on her own terms.

Donations in Chris’ memory can be made to a charity of one’s choice. Condolences to the family can be sent to mehanfuneralhome.ca