Maureen Dufries Christian
February 9, 1950 ~ March 25, 2015
Resided in:
Asheville, NC
Maureen Dufries Christian, 65, of Asheville, passed away Wednesday, March 25, 2015 at the John F. Keever Jr. Hospice Solace Center.
She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend to all. Along with her faith in God, her family and friends were most important in her life.
Maureen was born in Manhattan, NY on February 9, 1950 to the late Robert and Mary Dufries. She spent her early life with family in New York, Connecticut, Florida and settled in Atlanta, GA. She married in Atlanta and then lived in Alexandria, VA, Birmingham, AL, Dublin, GA, Baltimore, MD and for the last 25 years in Asheville.
She is survived by her husband of 44 years, James Christian; son Kevin Christian; daughter Kaitlin Christian; daughter-in-law Renee Law Christian; grandchildren Kaylee and Khloe Christian; brothers Courtney Dufries, Brian Dufries and Robert Dufries, all of Atlanta and William Dufries of Granite, OK; sisters Patricia DeSanto of Danbury, CT, Denise Lilly (Dennis) of Daytona Beach, FL and Joan Dufries of Atlanta. She is also survived by brothers-in-law Don Christian (Nancy) and Michael Christian (Jennette) and sister-in-law Linda Christian (Robert).
Her life was filled with giving of herself as a wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and professional nurse. She began her nursing career after graduating from DeKalb College in Atlanta and furthered her career with a bachelor's degree from the University of Baltimore. She worked in all types of nursing practice as her jobs changed with relocations, finishing her career as a certified geriatric nurse, educator and Director of Nursing in Asheville. Her commitment to geriatric nursing was a devotion driven by years of care she gave to her aging patients.
Maureen fell in love with the Western North Carolina mountains. She loved tennis and biking, reading, theatre and most of all, being with family and friends. A family member once described her impact on others as one who would "light up your life" by her presence. Real joys in her life were her two granddaughters, Kaylee and Khloe.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 am Friday at St. Eugene Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Lewis Memorial Park. The Rosary will be said at 6:15 Thursday at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian and the family will receive friends following until 8 pm.
Memorial donations may be made in her honor to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813.
A loving and caring woman that my family was blessed to know. We will forever celebrate her life and memory and be reminded of her contributions to our world in the lives of those she touched.
She touched many lives with her smile and the welling to help others. She will be so missed by her family and friends. She made a difference!
Joanie – thinking of you and your entire family!!! Mo is at peace after her long battle. We love you! Ginger & Marie
Joanie – holding you and your family close in my thoughts and prayers, and sending love and hugs to you all. – Jerri
We’ll always remember Mo with such a loving spirit and genuine smile. We are thinking of you Jim, and Kaitlyn, and all of your family. May God’s love hold you up during this time. Cindy and Bill Pomeroy
Brian- I am praying for you and your entire family. My deepest sympathy to all of you. God created man to be immortal, and made him to be an image of his own eternity.
Mr. Christian, I am so very sorry for your loss. You touched my life in so many ways in VA, and as a widow, I know that strength and character comes so much from a beloved spouse. While I never met your wife, please know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers at this extremely difficult time. I’m grateful for the work of CarePartners, and so thankful they were there for you and your lovely wife. Please just hold onto your faith. Christ cares and so do I. ~ lisa
Mr. Christian and Katlyn so sorry for you loss, Maureen had such an impact on so many for her courage and strength. I (Edney Eye Assoc.)
Dear Maureen’s family,
We express to all our heartfelt love.
Anne Geiser and
Sky Campbell (aka Susan)
in Athens GA
Our thoughts are with the Christian family today. May peace be with your family today.
Jose’ and Miriam Nodar – Spring Farm NSW Australia
Dear Jim,
Your heart is heavy, I know. My sincere sympathy.
I have been at my Mama’s and just got home on the 1st to the sad message on my machine. You and Maureen were there for me when my sweetheart died. I’m sorry I wasn’t here for you, Kaitlin and Kevin.
Love to all,
Patrice
4/2/15
To the Christian Family,
My name is John Lupacchino and I’ve been a life long friend of the Dufries family and I’m very sadden about the the passing of Maureen. I knew Maureen when I was very young. Her sister Patty is very close to me.
May God show Maureen the Light.