Christine was special.  I worked with her when I was president of the Macomb County Bar Association.  We had a huge project involving the juvenile court.  Her knowledge, tireless efforts, and desire to improve the lives of children were extraordinary.  I appreciated her as an attorney and the gifted person that she was.  My deepest condolences to her family.

To Chris's Family,
You don't know me but I and my team at the Family Assessment Clinic in Ann Arbor met with Chris every week for legal consultation. Despite our regular urging, Chris never billed the Clinic. We were shocked and saddened by her passing and will miss her sorely. She seemed so full of life and full of information.
We will honor her memory by contributing to the Child Law Scholarship fund.

Kathleen Coulborn Faller, Ph.D., A.C.S.W., L.M.S.W.
Marion Elizabeth Blue Professor Emerita of Children and Families
University of Michigan School of Social Work
Co-director, Family Assessment Clinic
kfaller@familyassessmentclinic.org

The Family Assessment Clinic had the pleasure of working with Christine over the last few years. She volunteered her time and generously shared her knowledge with us in support of the work we do. We are grateful for the time we shared with her and to have had her as part of our team. She will be dearly missed.

Sending my heartfelt condolences to Christine's family.  She provided all of us at the Family Assessment Clinic with her guidance and wisdom. She demonstrated immense care and concern for the families we serve.  She is greatly missed by all of us. 
With sympathy, Mary Ortega

Our heartfelt condolences to Bob, Charlotte, Sandy, Allen and the whole family. Growing up around the corner there are so many fond memories. Chris was a great friend to both my husband, Mickey, and me. Memories include our annual Halloween parties, Chris being maid of honor when we married and Godmother to our son, Michael. While we didn’t talk often over the years, we knew we would connect in November each year with Mickey & Chris’ birthdays a day apart. Our careers intersected briefly as Chris continued to seek every way to help children. Chris’ positive personality shined through, always. Willing to help, anywhere, anytime, Chris’ generosity with her time and talent benefited so many. We are grateful for the opportunity our whole family had to reminisce a few years ago with Bob & Chris before they moved. It has been a blessing to know her and our memories will be cherished. We expect she continues to serve many as an angel in Heaven.

To Chris’s loving husband Bob and family who she loved so much I send my condolences. She lived and worked very hard on her life’s work and also worked hard on her friendships. My husband and I loved her and always enjoyed her company. We will remember good times. I pray for her mom and her family in their grief. May God grant them peace and comfort. Barbara. Brower

Tonda's 50th birthday party, Brighton, MI, 2008.

Very sorry for your loss! Christine was a beautiful person with a compassionate spirit. She will be missed in our legal community.

I am a colleague of Chris as well as a friend.  I met her in the early 90’s, I believe, when she had just got back from working in Chicago. She approached me at a Juvenile Law Committee meeting asking me about how she could get involved.  I was the chairperson of the Committee during the mid 90s for a couple of years and she ended up as my successor.  We did a number of seminars in Wayne and Oakland Counties. Her presentations were always informative and entertaining.  She did a great job with the Citizens Alliance Committee and had a major role in planning and presenting the 100 Years of Juvenile Law Dinner.   Her energy and personality made that event a very special one.  She was always ready to take on the next challenge.  Her wedding was a lot of fun! I was very crushed to hear that she had passed.  My sincere condolences to her husband and to her family.  She made this world a better place.  She will be missed.

Sandy,
I am so very, very sorry to learn of your sister’s passing.  My deepest condolences to you and your family and praying for your comfort and peace.  Love Kerry Hocker

I met Chris when she was chair of the Juvenile Law Committee at the OCBA.  She recruited me to be vice chair the next year and then chair the following year.  That was over 20 years ago.  We quickly became friends and enjoyed doing things together both as two women and also with our spouses.  Chris and I enjoyed going to the Ann Arbor Art fair and she always had to buy something for her niece and nephew.  She was very close to her family and they were helping her when she needed them.  Bob was so special.  I kept in touch with her even after her move to North Carolina and been there to listen and try and cheer her on.  She was a trooper.  I will ditto everything else that everyone has written.  She was a very strong advocate on all her cases whether it be representing a parent or a child as well as her special ed cases.  I will miss you dear Chris.  Hugs and prayers to Bob and her family.

To Chris’ loved ones,

I met Chris in high school. We both lived in Case Hall at MSU and later roomed together. She always had a huge smile, bubbling personality, and zest for life. Today I am deeply saddened. My thoughts are with you as you navigate your tremendous loss.

I am very sad to hear the news that Christine passed away. I met her through the Children's Law Section. She was always very involved and had a passion to make the lives of children better.  She was an easy person to call if I ever needed help with a case or an issue because she would never hesitate to help in any way she could. She will be missed.

She was someone with courage and tenacity in fighting for the rights of children in Michigan.  I was drawn to her warmth and compassion and she showed me how to advance a career in serving the interests of the vulnerable foster children and youth in our state.  She will be deeply missed and always remembered for her strength and service to children.

I was shocked to hear of Christine's death.  She and I worked on several cases together.  She was always available to brainstorm legal issues with anybody who asked.  We have spent many hours laughing together and sometimes shedding tears over our clients' heartbreak.  She was kind. 

Christine was a talented, empathetic, and amazing attorney.  Our profession, and our state's children have lost a fierce advocate who was always gracious in her ferocity.

I'm sure many of us will miss her; I know I will. 

May your family take some comfort in knowing how she affected so many people and helped improve their lives.

I met Chris regarding a school law case. She responded to my email and we talked about how I could help my client. She was very patient with me and didn’t ask for anything in return. She was a credit to our profession. I’m very sorry for her family and their loss.

I was blessed to share many happy times and much laughter with my dear friend and colleague Christine.  It is fitting that she should join the rank of angels on Thanksgiving, a day filled with gratitude and thankfulness.  That is how she made you feel.
Chris zealously advocated on behalf of her clients, who were like children to her.  She pursued their rights like a mama bear protecting her cubs.  She achieved significant, meaningful, and enduring change in their lives.
Chris was a delight to be with.  She was my movie buddy on Tuesday nights.  Often, we were the only ones in the theater.  No matter how compelling the movie we invariably talked throughout the film.
Together we were shopaholics, going on shopping sprees and finding vicarious delight in each other’s purchases.  She was always game to try anything, even a picnic on paddle boat shaped like a duck.  I always enjoyed hearing Chris’s humorous stories about her misadventures.  
Chris touched so many lives and deeply loved her family.  She was a beautiful soul who will be missed and always remembered.

I went to law school with Christine. She was a very very fine lady and a very beautiful lady. She was dear friends with my sister, attorney Kathleen Galen, and I never knew her to be anything but kind and decent. It hurt me when I found out today that she was gone. I send my deepest and sincerest condolences to her family and loved ones. I hope and pray that she is in a beautiful place. I really don't know what else to say except that I am sad that she is gone but I'm very grateful that I had an opportunity to meet her and know her all these years. Me her and my sister all went to law school together 37 years ago. The time really does fly and I hope I remember her always for the wonderful smile and kindness that I remember her for. God bless you Christine. Sincerely, James L. Galen, Junior. U of D Law School Class of 1989.

Dear Bob, the Bowe & Piatkowski Families,
My deepest sympathy with the passing of Christine.  I am sorry that I cannot be there with you for the service. You are in my thoughts & prayers each day. 
Nancy Scott

My best friend, Chris. We went to MSU together.  We roomed together our last 3 years of college and remained close friends ever since. How very sad to hear this shocking news. Mrs Piatkowski, Sandy, Allen, and Bob I am so very sorry for this great loss. My prayers are with you. Her shining personality will live on in my memory.  She was truly an amazing and remarkable person that I know we will all miss so dearly. Rest in peace my dear friend. You will be forever missed!!!
Love,
Gloria

I am so sorry to hear of Chris's passing. I worked with her at Macomb Circuit Court when she handled juvenile cases. She was always so pleasant, helpful, kind and passionate in her work. She was a great asset and always went over and above to help the children that she was appointed to. This news makes me very sad.

OBITUARY

Christine Patricia Piatkowski

November 9, 1965 – November 23, 2023

Kaul Funeral Home

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