January 30
January 30
Happy Birthday Mum wherever you are. Rik and I think about you often especially now with beautiful spring weather and trying to get my garden ready for planting, I wish you were here helping, love IshXXXXX
Hello, this is Ish ,Ali and Becky, Chris daughters!
We created this memorial website to be a place where family and friends can share memories of Christine. Please feel free to leave a tribute at the bottom of this page, upload a photo or video to the gallery, or add to the story or life pages.
Mum’s love for her kids and her grandchildren was fierce. As an example, in 1997, when her grandson Declan was born in Bangkok and returned with his parents Kevin and Ali to our home in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, two weeks later, she immediately bought a plane ticket to come and meet him. Upon arriving in Bangkok, she was furious to discover that her connecting flight to Phnom Penh had been cancelled. What she didn’t know was that a military coup was taking place. The airport was destroyed, tanks were roaming the streets, and the air was booming with the sounds of shelling and gunfire. She managed to contact me (Ali) by phone minutes before all phone service was cut, and I directed her to a hotel in Bangkok. A few days later, when the fighting was mostly finished and Hun Sen had become the country’s only Prime Minister (previously there were two), a plane managed to land in the badly damaged airport to begin the evacuation of hundreds of panicking foreigners. That incoming plane brought in a handful of battle-scarred journalists in their flak jackets and … Mum! Kevin, our friend Patty holding baby Declan, and I walked out onto the shell-cratered runway, weaving our way through the many heavily armed soldiers. Patty approached a particularly ferocious looking soldier and said “This little boy has come to meet his grandmother. He’s not afraid of you or your guns!” Mum came tearing out of that plane, jostling journalists aside in her hurry to meet the latest addition to her brood!
In addition to being a devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, Mum was a beloved sister, aunt, English teacher, mentor, and friend who inspired so many people all over the world. She lived life to the full and enjoyed hiking, playing double bass, gardening, reading, cooking, singing, writing, painting and sketching, sewing and knitting, skiing, horseback riding, and cooking. She was passionate about politics, social justice, and the environment, knocking on hundreds of doors in support of Labour and then the Liberal Dems. She was ahead of her time in her commitment to supporting women to take their rightful place as independent leaders in control of their destinies.
Mum was also an intrepid and fearless traveler, from driving around the world in 1965 in a VW van with her husband, John Ramsay, and two kids; to criss-crossing Europe multiple times with her beloved Sue Rudnitzky in Mavis, their campervan; to flying solo to far-off places like Cambodia, Guatemala, Oaxaca, Mexico, and Costa Rica to visit us. She filled many sketch books with gorgeous drawings and appreciative descriptions of exotic sights, sounds, and tastes wherever she went.
Mum loved to shock people, be it gardening in her bikini in Yorkshire (the local farmers had never experienced anything like that before!), bursting into song at the most inappropriate of times, or emptying a glass of water over a back-talking teenager’s head. And she was always glamorous, with a unique sense of style and drama.
Aside from the children she doted on, Christine is survived by her sister, Jeannie, nieces Rachel and Anna, and nephews Ben and Jordan.
Since her stroke and fall in December 2018, Christine suffered from ever increasing dementia. Lingering on in such a state is not what she wished for, and her death is a release from the awful clutches of that insidious disease.
Christine did not want a funeral, although we may plan a Celebration of Life party for next summer (details will be forthcoming). She wanted a natural burial in Bidwell Woodland (https://www.bidwellwoodland.co.uk/ Cummings Pond Lane, Rattery, Devon TQ10 9LU), as she desired a continuation of the practice of the "cycle of life" and "return to nature". This is a perpetual, sustainable site to naturally return our bodies to the soil within a sustainable woodland. A nice place to remember her and say some goodbyes. We will add the exact plot location here as soon as we have it. Please feel free to visit her there.
In lieu of flowers, donations to Jessie’s Fund can be made in Christine’s name using this link: https://donate.giveasyoulive.com/fundraising/remembering-christine. Jessie’s Fund helps children with additional and complex needs or serious illness to communicate by using music. Music can provide a powerful and profound way in which children can express themselves and connect with the world around them. Jessie’s Fund is a registered charity working all over the UK. https://jessiesfund.org.uk/
Tributes
Leave a tribute
January 30, 2023
January 30, 2023
Happy Birthday Mum, missing you like crazy. Love from your baby in the red bed Ish xxxxx
October 31, 2022
October 31, 2022
My late husband Yona and I met Chris and John in Berkeley, when we lived in the same apartment building. Ishbel was about five and our daughter Yael about six. We kept in touch with Chris since then. Only love can hold such a long relationship. It's comforting to know that she died in her sleep without suffering. We will remember her as a brave woman, pretty, full of energy and always willing to help others.
September 5, 2022
September 5, 2022
Many years of laughter, literary conundrums, and a visit to Cape with Sue when you taught me that dandelion greens actually are delicious!
September 4, 2022
September 4, 2022
Chris played double bass in the TSO for many, many years and only retired reluctantly when her fingers absolutely refused to co-operate.
She was a very much loved member of our orchestra and community and we will really miss her. Apart from her superb musicianship, we will remember her for her humour, dedication and commitment to each of us as individuals and for society in general through her political activism and concern for our future.
A great lady - may she rest in peace.
My condolences to her family and friends on behalf of the whole orchestra.
She was a very much loved member of our orchestra and community and we will really miss her. Apart from her superb musicianship, we will remember her for her humour, dedication and commitment to each of us as individuals and for society in general through her political activism and concern for our future.
A great lady - may she rest in peace.
My condolences to her family and friends on behalf of the whole orchestra.
September 4, 2022
September 4, 2022
Chris is my inspiration to stay fit, strong, healthy and be able to piggy back small children on long adventures through Dartmoor when I am in my 80's. Memories of camping, singing and laughing on Exmoor will always make me smile and remember Chris for the vivacious spirit she was.
I too am going to start gardening in my bikini!!!
I too am going to start gardening in my bikini!!!
September 4, 2022
September 4, 2022
Chris, Mavis, and Freya came to visit us in Banagher around 2012. Chris rocked up in Mavis ( though a van, always personified as a friend ) one day and they gladly parked for a few days on a jaunt to Ireland. She enjoyed coming to Ireland for gatherings of like minded thinkers and writers on islands off of Ireland. Walks in the bog with Freya led Chris to talk about their walks on the moors. Our children were thrilled with Mavis and Freya and could not get enough time inside the van chatting with Chris. Her sense of adventure was palpable and infectious! Wishing you well, a Chris, on this new journey. With Love, Petria, Leo, Grainne, Caoimhin, & Ailis Malone
September 4, 2022
September 4, 2022
Chris had an indomitable spirit! She impressed me with her confidence and her stamina for knowledge and new discovery. From the moment I met her at Kevin and Ali’s wedding, I admired her love of family, especially her grandchildren. Her commitment to music and to her local politics was tireless. Her visits to Chula Vista would lead to walks up and down canyons and days on buses or trains endlessly exploring the area. Her tenacity for life was apparent and she suffered no fools! May she Rest In Peace. ~ Ailis Malone, Banagher, Ireland
August 30, 2022
August 30, 2022
I was first introduced to Chris by her accountant in 2008, and over the years we built a up a great understanding of how she wished to live life to the full.
Whether it was her traveling adventures, community projects or family matters and everything else as well. Chris seemed to dive into everything with great gusto and enthusiasm. Nothing seemed to phase her ! Often I would receive her very humorous and insightful emails informing me of money matters and her plans ahead for the year. Chris became more than just a client, and we built up a great friendship over the years so it was so it was so sad to hear from Becky of her decline and the subsequent loss of her independence.
Sending positive thoughts to her family.
Whether it was her traveling adventures, community projects or family matters and everything else as well. Chris seemed to dive into everything with great gusto and enthusiasm. Nothing seemed to phase her ! Often I would receive her very humorous and insightful emails informing me of money matters and her plans ahead for the year. Chris became more than just a client, and we built up a great friendship over the years so it was so it was so sad to hear from Becky of her decline and the subsequent loss of her independence.
Sending positive thoughts to her family.
August 30, 2022
August 30, 2022
Chris was our nearest neighbour for 15 years. We shared many interests, music, gardening, love of dogs and of course left wing politics. During dog walks, suppers, drinks and soup evenings we learned much of her fascinating life and greatly appreciated her feistiness and independence.
We missed her when her health deterioration necessitated a move into a home, though made sure we visited, usually taking a dog who she always recognised.
Thanks for all the stories and your inspiration to all the women you met to be themselves.
We missed her when her health deterioration necessitated a move into a home, though made sure we visited, usually taking a dog who she always recognised.
Thanks for all the stories and your inspiration to all the women you met to be themselves.
August 30, 2022
August 30, 2022
Chris sang with us in Wild Harmony for many years and I know she missed singing as indeed we missed her, when she was no longer able to come. A stalwart in the tenor section, she was one of the more musical of us (she loved to have 'the dots') and took great pleasure not only in the singing but in contributing to the social fellowship.
Lynn and I also remember a kind, generous friend and neighbour to us (and to Teasel).
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air
Deep peace of the quiet earth
Deep peace of the shining stars
Lynn and I also remember a kind, generous friend and neighbour to us (and to Teasel).
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air
Deep peace of the quiet earth
Deep peace of the shining stars
August 29, 2022
August 29, 2022
I’ve known Chris for about 40 years, having met her her in Zürich when we were colleagues at the International School. She was a brilliant addition to the faculty and a vibrant teacher to her students. Nothing was too difficult for that she wouldn’t ‘give it a go’. She taught a wide array of classes, took the students skiing, was always available for help, and kept the faculty laughing through the toughest of times.
I enjoyed spending time with her (and Moss her dog) at Falera her mountain retreat, from where she hauled us up steep trails, jumping streams, and scrambling on our hands and knees, to glory at the beauty seen from the top. She then just flopped down and ate her sandwich while we fell flat on the grass gasping for breath. She had the energy of 10 of us.
But one memory of Chris that stays with me was during the time my husband ill. She and Sue insisted we use their apartment while they were away because it was so close to the hospital. That made both our lives so much easier because of our bi-weekly visits with the doctors, until he had to be admitted. Even when they returned from vacation they insisted I stay on, and calmed me during difficult times by playing beautiful sonatas on their grand piano.
One bright, clear day, just before my daily hospital visit, Chris and Sue took me on a short drive to one of our favorite spots above the city where we sat silently gazing at the view - remembering.
Then Chris drove me to the hospital.
I told my husband about the wonderful outing we just had and described at length that view he loved. Smiling and contented, he quietly passed away.
I’ll never forget Chris having so thoughtfully done that for me, as if she somehow knew he would leave us with that beautiful memory at the end.
That was the Chris I knew and loved.
I enjoyed spending time with her (and Moss her dog) at Falera her mountain retreat, from where she hauled us up steep trails, jumping streams, and scrambling on our hands and knees, to glory at the beauty seen from the top. She then just flopped down and ate her sandwich while we fell flat on the grass gasping for breath. She had the energy of 10 of us.
But one memory of Chris that stays with me was during the time my husband ill. She and Sue insisted we use their apartment while they were away because it was so close to the hospital. That made both our lives so much easier because of our bi-weekly visits with the doctors, until he had to be admitted. Even when they returned from vacation they insisted I stay on, and calmed me during difficult times by playing beautiful sonatas on their grand piano.
One bright, clear day, just before my daily hospital visit, Chris and Sue took me on a short drive to one of our favorite spots above the city where we sat silently gazing at the view - remembering.
Then Chris drove me to the hospital.
I told my husband about the wonderful outing we just had and described at length that view he loved. Smiling and contented, he quietly passed away.
I’ll never forget Chris having so thoughtfully done that for me, as if she somehow knew he would leave us with that beautiful memory at the end.
That was the Chris I knew and loved.
August 29, 2022
August 29, 2022
The most special time we had with Chris was when she hosted me and Copeland and Quincy for a weekend at Long Barn in June 2009 when we were living in Surrey. She created an amazing full adventure for us and treated us to special family time - at a time that I really needed it. I am so glad she is no longer suffering. Much love to you all <3 BA
Leave a Tribute
Recent Tributes
January 30
January 30
Happy Birthday Mum wherever you are. Rik and I think about you often especially now with beautiful spring weather and trying to get my garden ready for planting, I wish you were here helping, love IshXXXXX
January 30, 2023
January 30, 2023
Happy Birthday Mum, missing you like crazy. Love from your baby in the red bed Ish xxxxx
October 31, 2022
October 31, 2022
My late husband Yona and I met Chris and John in Berkeley, when we lived in the same apartment building. Ishbel was about five and our daughter Yael about six. We kept in touch with Chris since then. Only love can hold such a long relationship. It's comforting to know that she died in her sleep without suffering. We will remember her as a brave woman, pretty, full of energy and always willing to help others.
Gallery
oh, chris!! Please don’t.(she did).
Mum and Tash Gomperts
Ish, Kimba & Lola by mums beautiful resting place ❤️
Planting Kimba apple trees, started from seeds by Nanny (Chris) and Kimba at Woodland Burial Site
Stylish as always, a quick cup of fizz before dinner. Chamber Music weekend at Thurlstone Hotel 2018
TSO Bass Section at St Marychurch June 2017
And always recognised Bonnie even when she no longer recognised me
Recent stories
By Natasha Gomperts
November 30, 2022
I was very sorry to hear that Chris had died. When i had lunch with her in July I thought this was imminent. Still the way in which she did engage with me was indicative of just what a remarkable and resilient person she was. She was slowly finding her thoughts and recognising our connection, also: tunes, humour, she enjoyed delicious fish i took and strawberries too, though she could not swallow. There was something unfamiliar, yet direct in her eyes which I thought she was imparting to me in here focused moments. Instead of defiance, there was a kind of acceptance and also (which I quite liked), a sardonic kind of not giving a fuck, like 'it is what it is’….shrug, smile
Loosing Zerine and Bastien and indeed Barbara’s friends saddens me deeply. Nigel Konstam, the sculptor, Juliet’s godfather also died this this July, (a couple of other friends died alarmingly young in August), I have been quite depressed. Responding to Chris is the hard one because she is such a strong connection to my past and she was larger than life, an exceptionally big personality. She meant a lot to me because she meant a lot to them, (B,B and Z) and they meant everything to me. But i also had my own connection with Chris, a thing of warmth and joy but also of trust and acceptance which meant a great deal to me.
I knew about the so valued part Chris had played in supporting Barbara when Grandpa broke his leg while we were in America in 1969. But I became bonded to Chris through a very particular episode when i was eleven. The context to this was that I was pretty unhappy at Fox School having been put in a new school (for the for the fourth time in two years) into the terrifying class of Mr Mede. I soon became aware of culture of competitiveness and back-stabbing nastiness and understood that you had to prove some distinguishing talent. Often humiliated at school, I had much to prove elsewhere. It was in this way that I vied to get a solo at the opera group when it reformed for its second production, The Pied Piper of Hamelin. It was at the BBC recording studio, just at the end of singing my solo, MJ shoved me aside from the microphone. At the break, Chris went straight over to her and gave her a proper telling off. For me, it was as if three years of unspoken distresses had been acknowledged and vindicated. Chris was fierce and horrid, I felt amazed that anyone would stick up so strongly for me.
One of the things about spending time with Chris, is that you had the great pleasure and benefit of her enormous enthusiasm and energy. She would always have plan for the day ahead and this plan was fulfilled in an enriching way from the moment she prepared the adventure (often with a sturdy picnic of hand made goodies) to the many places she loved to share until dinner was made, beautifully served in lovely bowls, the wine drunk and the last spoon efficiently washed up, dried and put away. There are lots of things I saw and did because of Chris and I am grateful for her generous sharing and fondness towards me.
There was also a kind of price to this. From the start of the day, one had to listen all the time and be responsive and engaged as she enthusiastically spoke in un-ending detail about every last marvellous person on whom she cast her glow including hoards of incredibly bright students, their extraordinarily high achieving families, the council, what this twit had said to that pompous git on the council, this amazing artist, that talented neighbour, what the next concerts were going to be, about the books and poetry she had been reading and teaching, of vexing love trysts not to mention how she spoke about you guys and her adored grandchildren, always with such pride, enthusiasm and joy, it could make my head spin. Chris was not simply passionate, she was passion embodied, a Greek goddess.
Looking back, apart from my in-laws, I've probably spent more time with Chris away from home than anyone else apart from Barbara. This includes some jolly days with Peter on our first or second summer holiday with Zack and Imo when we swam in the local forest stream and some excellent days when I took mum who already had profound dementia and her difficult carer Anca (then on a lettuce diet), and we had lovely walks and a memorable late afternoon picnic in a field where Chris, realising mum's simple needs, drove us into a cut field on a hill, set up chairs and we drank beer and ate crisps together in the sunshine. Arriving in Zurich in 1984 with three dancing friends to perform on a medieval bridge in the centre of Zurich and then bing whisked up to the Alps to stay in the ski flat was also pretty good, as was camping in Crete the spring after Juliet died. There was also Chris coming to us, at Mum and Dad’s parties which she always came to and her final stay at Addison Ave was when she came to support us as Bastien was dying in hospital. She came with Loki and took control of the ship, walked mum to and from the park and and to the museums. She knew there was no one else and she came, so that we could rush around and be with dad at the hospital which was no place for mum. Distressing does not describe it. Chris only got to see dad after he had passed beyond consciousness, this was deeply sad but also amazing, in order to care for mum who had little notion of what was happening, Chris enabled everyone else to see dad when this was possible, even as a her dear friend whom she thought of as a brother was disappearing. Not to end this paragraph on this sad note, I would like to thank Chris again for the way she also came and kept house for us in the very busy and happy (albeit manic) time when we pulled everything out of the bag for our very creative wedding party at home in 2005. She made sure we got three meals a day, on time, the house was clean, the kids went to bed and the flowers were trimmed, Mum could no longer handle this.
My final stay with Chris was I think, the most remarkable. She had come through the appalling ordeal of her her fall, subsequent operations, difficult months in hospital, weeks of rehab and was home (wrapped in the crochet blanket Barbara had made for me) and was very relieved and happy to be home with her wonderful dog, her rooms filled with the many interesting and beautiful things she most treasured. (she was cross the LR pots had been sold, more pissed off about not bing allowed to cook on the Aga or drive Mavis) but was enjoying her garden, her reading, her walks with Loki and reading her and her writings, one of which she read to me. I was so impressed by her detailed, lucid memories, what she told me about her father and mother, growing up during the war in Penzance (giving me an insight into her unpredictable volatility with familial men). She was still remarkably capable and in tact.
She had some missions, the first was to find some important writing that she thought had been chucked. WE went through a lot paintings and drawings and she was able to sort through these, knowing exactly what each was, when and where it was done, and actually decided to discard a lot of it, a brave act of de-cluttering, I was sure the writings would turn up and indeed they did eventually. The second mission was a lovely day in Teignmouth when I noticed her disorientation on the roads but she would not let me use the navigator because she wanted to touch base with the Council and greet Sarah Wollaston. On the final day, I realised as I drove that she was taking a very long route which involved a (for me alarming) drive down one of those narrow high-hedged winding lanes. We drove though a small town and I realised she had not got lost, as she claimed, but had taken the opportunity to see if she might have a ‘just passing by' encounter with her much-missed ex lover. Oh-god, poor Chris i well know the yearning that made you so daftly hopeful. We got away and she then took me on a super walk/goose chase at a popular site on the moor. She had me worried at times, insisting on climbing over barbed wire fences and going through an off path gate, crossing the very busy approach road to the site. But she know these cut-throughs and wanted to re-discover them and and ignored my safety concerns. She was in her element and still a strong and powerful walker, I could hardly believe it having last seen her on her birthday in Plymouth on the first day she was allowed to go outside in a wheelchair. On the journey home we intentionally diverted to see Widdicombe. The tea shops were closing but i got a post card with the words to the old song and we sang it in our best drunken wes'curntry accents awl the way ‘ome wi' Bill Brewer, Jan Stewer, Peter Gurney, Peter Davy, Dan'l Whiddon, Harry Hawke, Old Uncle Tom Cobley…..for I have memories of other drives long ago through dark bending lanes, leaves illuminated in the head lights with Chris and Barbara and you girls returning home late from concerts of the Newbury Strings when i first heard songs like 'What Shall we do with Drunken Soldier'. Hesitant suggestion: A Chris Ramsay car song book? This would be something to treasure. At home she grabbed the largest Rod Lawrence bowl and set about making an apple crumble for pudding.
Reflecting on this final stay with Chris at the time, I remember feeling a more appreciative understanding of the way that her stories of everything and everyone was part of a greater story in which she actively lived, as if her life was a in fact a story and she was the narrator and this narration and telling of the story was very important. It was a story of great adventure, laughter, creativity and glory but also one of deep love, bewilderment and loss. Sue, the calmer and more grounded soul mate, lover and over-arching companion was able to live inside Chris's story and made her life for a few great years replete.
Lots of love Tasha
August 30, 2022
I believe Chris once told me that she spotted her beloved Double Bass in a junk shop window when she was pushing one or two of her young children past in a pushchair. A deal was done and her bass playing career began! We played together in the bass section of Torbay Symphony Orchestra for many years. She was always cheerful and committed, breezing into rehearsals with one arm around the bass, stool and bag over the other and maybe even a dog in tow as well. She provided each member of our section with a beautifully made initialled bag to hang on our stand so that our essential kit was to hand, pencil, rubber, rosin, glasses etc. If a new member joined, they were swiftly provided with one. I treasure mine and will continue to use it every time I play. Chris came for lunch here the day before her stroke. Our bass playing friend Carl and his wife Helen were visiting from France and a small gathering was planned. She had had a nasty fall and injured her leg the day before, but was absolutely determined to get here. We had a lovely time together and I cherish the memory of that day. She was as always full of life and stories. I loved to hear about her long trips in Mavis the campervan, she was so brave and adventurous. She often talked about growing up in Cornwall and her visits to the Scillies, her family and how much she missed her partner Sue. We will miss you Chris.