Obituary of Christine Elizabeth Thompson

Christine (Criss) Elizabeth Thompson passed away peacefully at dawn in Kingston General Hospital (KGH) on August 17, 2015, in the loving presence of siblings Lynn and Jamie and friend, Janet McGregor. Criss was born in Ottawa on August 8,1963 to parents John and the late Lois Thompson. She was the beloved sister of Lynn Thompson of Ottawa, and Doug and Jamie of Toronto, and the proud aunt of Duncan, Chester and Rosalie (Doug & Elaine) and Islay and Faryn (Jamie & Avon), and fond step-grandmother of Blake. Moreover, she was the devoted mother of Celeste, now a partner with Kevin Hennelly and his daughter Blake. Criss was educated in Alta Vista Public school (Ottawa), Buckingham, Browne & Nichols (Cambridge, Mass) and Oakville-Trafalgar High School (Oakville). She took Creative Writing at David Thomson University in Nelson, BC, and participated in a creative workshop at the Banff School of Fine Arts in Banff, AB. Although her main focus as a single parent was in raising Celeste, her other activities included management of TV festivals at the Banff School, real estate sales in Guelph, and TV & movie production in Toronto. Earlier in her life, Criss pursued her passion in film production, including Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and Banff International Film Festival. She also excelled at making entertaining personal videos, including one of her father trying desperately to start an outboard motor, to the tune of "Don't Worry, Be Happy"! Criss was very personable, intelligent, and creative. She was the life of the party in annual family outings to Stratford, always with some new game to mix things up. She was quick-witted, and renowned for contrived puns. More significantly, she could act decisively in emergency situations. In one swimming class, she saved a student from drowning, while the instructor was standing idly by. She aimed high, for herself and her daughter. Even when her body was declining from liver disease, she retained a feisty determination to enjoy life, including kayaking. We miss her deeply. The family wish to give special thanks for the outstanding medical and social team at the KGH; Perth residents who befriended Criss in her short stay there; relatives and friends who visited or contacted Criss during her month in hospital; and Lynn and Jamie for their boundless attention and communication with family and friends in the last month of her life, which created a strong foundation of loving awareness surrounding Criss. A tribute to Criss' life will be held at the Gilchrist Chapel-McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home, One Delhi St, Guelph (519-824-0031) on September 12, 2015 at 1:30 pm. It will be preceded by a visitation at 12:30 pm and followed by a reception. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to JeanTweed.com, KGH or a charity of your choice. We invite you to leave your donations or condolences online. Service Information Service Date Saturday, September 12, 2015 Service Time 1:30 p.m. Service Location Gilchrist Chapel McIntyre & Wilkie Funeral Home Visitation Sat. Sept. 12, 2015 Visitation Time 12:30 - 1:30 p.m. Visitation Location Gilchrist Chapel McIntrye & Wilkie Funeral Home Requested Charity The Jean Tweed Centre, Kingston General Hospital or Charity of Choice