Chris was born in St John’s Newfoundland to parents Jemima and Harvey Dawe, the youngest of eight children.
Chris graduated with a nursing diploma from the General Hospital in St. John’s in 1951 and joined the RCAF as a nursing sister. Posted first to St Jean Quebec, and soon transferred to the base hospital operating room at Rockcliffe, Ottawa in 1952.
Chris met the love of her life and future husband Bob Candy at the officer’s mess. Bob and Chris were married in 1953 and had three children: Jean Candy, Jill Skinner and Rob Candy. After taking time to raise her family, Chris successfully completed a nursing refresher course and worked at the Kidney Transplant Clinic at the Victoria General Hospital in Halifax. Chris had three grandchildren: Andrew, James and Mark Skinner. Chris was a talented artist in oil painting, flower arranging and sewing. She enjoyed music, reading, sailing and winters in St Augustine Florida.