Christine Diane Elliot passed away on Jan. 2. She was born in Salem, Ore., on April 17, 1951.
The oldest of five children of Ken and Nadeen Elliot, she moved to Prosser when she was a small child. She grew up there, where she was actively involved in the First Presbyterian Church and in 4-H.
She graduated from Prosser High School in 1969 and attended Central Washington State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in clothing and textiles, with a minor in art, later returning for a second degree in education.
Christie dedicated her adult life to teaching, focusing much of her career on children with special needs and reading issues. She taught in Enumclaw, Wash., Lancaster, Calif., and San Jose, Calif., before moving to Whidbey Island in 1993.
She taught in Langley for 23 years, while living in the neighboring town of Freeland. She attended University Presbyterian Church in Seattle for many years, and was involved in the Nightcrawlers Garden Club in Freeland.
Christie found joy in helping children learn to read who had previously struggled with the task. She went to great lengths to come up with creative ways for her students to learn, such as developing “Camp Read A Lot” in her classroom. She worked with the local Kiwanis Club to recruit volunteers to help students on a weekly basis, and organized the donation of hundreds of Beanie Baby toys as a reward for students who read at a higher skill level.
Christie was extraordinarily talented. She was an artist, calligrapher and an incredible cook and baker who made remarkable gingerbread houses that were each a work of art. She was an amazing seamstress, with a wonderful gift for knitting and crocheting, did counted cross-stitch and made beautiful quilts.
She was also an avid and highly accomplished gardener. Tending to her flowers, trees, berries and vegetables was one of her greatest pleasures. While still in high school, she installed all the wallpaper in her family’s new home and did it to perfection. Years later, she did much of the remodeling work and home improvement projects in her own home.
Christie went to sleep on New Year’s Day, suffering from a long-term illness and its associated difficulties, and woke up experiencing the unspeakable joy of Heaven, where she was greeted by her beloved mother and father, grandparents, aunts, uncles and the One who loves her most.
Christie is survived by her brother Greg Elliot, his wife Marin, and daughter Piper; her brother Brad Elliot, his wife Liz, and children Maggie, Henry and Sam; her sister Tamara Cotten and her husband Dennis; and her sister Kimberly Elliot; and many cousins and their families.
A public graveside service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 at the Prosser Cemetery, with a memorial planned for Saturday, April 29, at the Covenant Presbyterian Church in Prosser.
