Christine Shylo Gelina

Christine Shylo Gelina, 72, passed away suddenly after a brief illness October 8, 2015. She is survived by her children; Andrew Gelina and wife Patricia of Bridgewater, MA, Stephen Gelina and wife Chelsea of Santee, CA, Susan Fitzsimmons and husband Ryan, grandchildren; Caroline, Julia, Nancy and Jackson along with numerous other family and friends including her partner Noel Pugach whom the family would like to thank for his love and support. She was preceded in death by her husband Stanley Fraser Gelina; her parents Katherine and John Shylo; her brother John and sister Martha. She was born in Springfield, MA, and was a graduate of Westfield State College, having just celebrated becoming a Golden Owl - 50 year alumnus. Chris enjoyed a lifelong career as an educator and counselor, retiring in 2004 from Albuquerque Public Schools/Eldorado High School. She loved life in New Mexico truly enjoying all that the Land of Enchantment had to offer including hiking the Sandias, floating on lakes and streams, biking, and snowshoeing. Because of her love for the theatre, she was a volunteer at Popejoy Hall for many years. Chris also had a passion for her crafts including quilting and knitting and was involved in the Life Stitches Uganda HIV Project. She had such a strong personality; she was enterprising, independent, adventurous, and humorous and took great pride in her Ukrainian heritage. Most of all she loved to host family and friends for holiday gatherings or playing bridge. More recently she was able to fulfill her dreams of traveling abroad, particularly river cruises. A Memorial Celebration of life will be held 3:00 pm Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at FRENCH - Lomas. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, www.pancan.org or St Labre Indian School, www.stlabre.org.

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FRENCH - Lomas
10500 Lomas Blvd NE
(505) 275-3500