Ms Christine Clare

Christine Clare, aged 69, of Chicago, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Friday, October 13, 2023 from complications due to pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and possibly a wicked sweet tooth.

Christine’s life began when she was born three months premature on August 1, 1954 in Battersea, London, England. The one and only time in her life she arrived early, the woman had an internal time-clock that was always set just a few hours behind. What we wouldn’t give for her to be late to her own funeral so we could have one more day with our sweet, funny, crazy, kind, and free-spirited “English Queen.”

She would often regale us with stories of her time in England. A horsewoman in her youth, her favorite memories were always those of Nipper, the pony she’d spend countless hours riding, sometimes barebacked, across Exmoor. As her children we considered ourselves lucky to come in at what we assumed would be a close second. Or so we hoped

Christine eventually made her way to the United States at the invitation of a very dear friend. Never one to let anyone tell her what to do, including the government, her short visit turned into a permanent stay. And although her English family were far away she always kept them in her heart. She eventually settled in Chicago, Illinois, where she raised two children 17 years apart. An understandable break given I was her first and more than a handful.

She worked hard as a waitress so she could save up enough money for a visit to England whenever she could. Christine loved keeping her family on their toes by letting them know of her months long visit shortly before her arrival. And yet despite the lack of notice they always showed us a wonderful time. I have fond memories of vacations with her in England, spending time with family and eating our way through newspaper boats of fish and chips sprinkled liberally with malted vinegar and as much Battenberg cake as one could handle.

Christine always had a smile and a. “Hello Dear!” for everyone she met. And her kind heart and quirky mannerisms endeared her to the many lifelong friends she made during her career in the service industry, TWA, and TSA.

Christine was a talented artist and had a passion for singing, playing the guitar, photography, drawing, painting, sculpting, jewelry making, sewing, and stained glass. With so many hobbies this left little time for organizing and she left behind a hell of a lot of stuff to her children who will think of her fondly with every item we uncover over the years to come.

Later in life she struggled with a multitude of health issues including diabetes, coronary artery disease, and the progressive and eventually fatal diagnosis of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary arterial hypertension. And yet, this never stopped her from enjoying life and most importantly her food. As she got older some of her favorite pastimes included talking to and spending time with her friends, family and her children, eating her way through every city she travelled to and arguing with her doctors. She exited this world with the same enthusiasm and fighting spirit she entered it with, singing, laughing and eating as much as she possible could right up until the end.

Always quick to laugh and never one for tears, she would want us to honor her memory by living life to its fullest, with fork in hand, one delicious bite at a time.

She will truly be missed by all, including her cat Cinnamon. She joins those who preceded her in death in the land of eternal cake and ice cream. As her TSA family put it, “Our Dear English Sweetheart is resting now...You will truly be missed. We love you Christine”

Visitation for Christine will be held on Wednesday, October 18th, 2023 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Ridge Funeral Home, (Edward A. Tylka, Manager), 6620 West Archer Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60638, followed by a chapel service from 7:00 PM to 7:30 PM. For info. call 773-586-7900 or visit www.ridgefh.com.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ridgefh.com for the Clare family.

In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks you to remember Christine by donating to the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation at https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org or the Pulmonary Hypertension Association at https://phassociation.org.