Born April 1, 1950 in St. Andrew’s, Scotland, Christine was the only child of the late Janina and Jan Bik, served in the Polish Army and Airforce. Following the end of World War II, the Bik family lived briefly in Nottingham, England, before immigrating from the United Kingdom to the United States on the S.S. United States, arriving in New York on June 5, 1956. The Bik family then moved to Hartford, Connecticut. Christine became a naturalized American citizen at the age of 12. Christine attended high school at South Catholic Central and graduated in 1968. Christine then furthered her education at East Connecticut College, graduating in 1968.
Christine enjoyed a long career in the field of interior design and home furnishings both in Mt. Kisco, New York, and Charlotte, North Carolina. Christine also enjoyed retirement—she loved living on the South Carolina coast with her husband, where she pursued many interests, including working as a volunteer gardener at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina, and for the Waccamaw River Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program. Christine also enjoyed serving on her community’s architectural review board, knitting, bird watching, loggerhead turtles, adventure cruises, and spending time with her wonderful friends.
But the true joy of Christine’s life was her family. She adored her husband Tom Tenfelde, whom she married in July of 1974. She was also a devoted mother to her daughter, Katherine, and their family pets—which included, at times, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Siamese and tabby cats. Christine also adored her energetic grandsons, and especially cherished their time together on the beach collecting shells, and discovering sea creatures and the local wildlife.
Christine is survived by her husband of 49 years, Thomas Bernard Tenfelde; one child, Katherine Tenfelde Armstrong (Preston) of Charlotte; and two beloved grandchildren, Thomas Preston Armstrong and Reed Bowen Armstrong.
A Mass of Christian Burial to celebrate Christine’s life will be held at 10 o’clock on the morning of Friday, April 26, 2024 at the Chapel at St. Gabriel’s Catholic Church – 3016 Providence Road, Charlotte, North Carolina. Private interment will be at Sharon Memorial Park.
For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider the Alzheimer’s Association—Western Carolina Chapter (https://www.alz.org/northcarolina/donate).
Online condolences may be shared at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com.
Partager l'avis de décès
v.1.9.6