Christine Frances Carey's Obituary
Christine (Chris) Frances Carey, age 66, of San Diego, CA, passed away on May 26th, 2024. Chris was born on April 2nd, 1958 at the Northern Westchester Hospital in Mount Kisco, New York. She was the youngest of four children born to William and Anne McClintock both deceased. Her oldest sibling Patricia Finley is also deceased. Chris is survived by a sister Kathleen Warner and a brother William McClintock. She was an Aunt, Grandaunt and Great-Grandaunt.
In 1959 the family moved from Yorktown Heights, New York to San Diego, California. Upon moving to San Diego, Chris’ family quickly adopted the climate and outdoor lifestyle of San Diego. Spending significant time camping, water skiing, visiting Southern California attractions and playing sports. In elementary and junior high schools Chris was an avid athlete, holding several school records in both cross country running and handball. She was such an accomplished runner, that she was only one of two girls in junior high that was allowed to train with the boy’s track team. In 1972, at the age of 14, Chris was involved in a tragic and life-altering rollover dune buggy accident. This accident left Chris with a T4 injury, paralyzed from the abdomen down and dependent on a wheelchair for mobility. Determined to not let this disability define her life, Chris, with help from Children’s Hospital – San Diego doctors and therapists, worked tirelessly to recover as much mobility as possible and at the same time maintain an uninterrupted high school education at the local high school. This was no easy task, given that the school district was insistent that she attend a specialized school for disabled students. Through Chris’ determination and considerable efforts from her mother, they were able to persuade the district to implement physical changes to the school that would accommodate Chris’ wheelchair access requirements.
After completing her high school education, Chris used this same determination to attend and ultimately receive an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Mesa Junior College. This education allowed her to land a full-time job with the United State Forest Service (USFS) – Cleveland National Forest Division. She worked for over ten years in Material Procurement and Human Resources and on several occasions provided valuable support during several major fire events within the Cleveland National Forest. On a side note, she also provided valuable assistance in the upgrading of their facilities to comply with existing and new governmentally mandated disability standards. Also, in 1980, Chris appeared in the Cleveland National Forest Gazette and on the front cover of Mainstream Magazine, highlighting a promotion that she performed for disabled access to flights on Western Airlines. She also provided similar promotional activities highlighting wheelchair lifts used by San Diego Amtrack. It was only due to medical complications that Chris was compelled to retire from the USFS.
During Chris’ formal education and early employment at the USFS, she had the very auspicious opportunity to experience and participate in the early development and education of two of her nephews, Sean and Mark Finley. Chris’ mother and father provided the boys with early childcare while both of their parents worked. Chris, still living at home with her parents, would ultimately play a significant role in such care. These formative years saw Chris, Sean and Mark engaged in numerous activities such as building with Legos, playing with antiquated 50’s toys/board games and constructing/destroying all forms of childhood vehicles from discarded skates, lumber and bikes/strollers. In addition, the three of them would go on countless walks in the neighborhood, socializing with new or existing neighbors. This would turn out to be great exercise for Sean; however, Mark would frequently complain of fatigue and hitch a ride home on Chris’ wheelchair. These experiences ultimately resulted in the creation of an incredible and lasting bond between Aunt Chris and her nephews, Sean and Mark.
In 1981 Chris married her high school sweetheart Mark Carey and within a very short time they would add four more to the family; Edie, Ricochet, Batman (all cats) and Camber, a black Lab who would become her dearest love and fondest memory for the rest of her life. Chris had an endless love and advocacy for animals. Throughout her adult life, Chris also absolutely loved exploring and off-roading in the Southern California desert areas. Mark, Chris and even Camber, would frequently participate in annual family gatherings/camping in such places as Glamis Dunes, Ocotillo Wells, Borrego Springs, and Buttercup Dunes. This love affair was so strong that Chris requested that some of her ashes be spread atop Competition Hill – Glamis, California.
One of Chris’ hobbies or should we say pastimes, was the stringing of beads to make jewelry or decorative items. She devoted countless hours to the creation of necklaces, earrings and mementos for her sisters, nieces, close friends and their respective children. Chris took great pride in the selection and assembly of beads and stones that embodied the recipient, thereby creating lasting and treasured keepsakes.
Unfortunately, Chris would ultimately have to spend an inordinate amount of time managing her extensive physical limitations and deteriorating health. But even when faced with these daunting tasks, she was able to make the best of a bad situation by befriending and helping others who were attempting to navigate the everchanging and challenging medical system. Lifelong friends (such as Darlene, Katie and Jeri) would provide mutual support that would see her through very trying times. Who would have thought that a 14-year-old girl who was told by medical professionals that she would be lucky to live until she was 50, would actually reach 66 years of age. This stands as a testament to the determination and will power that Chris processed throughout her lifetime, a characteristic that she most definitely inherited from her father who lived to the ripe old age of 92. Those who knew Chris will sorely miss her friendship and kind heart, but can take solace in knowing that she made the best of her life on earth and can look forward to a glorious eternal life.
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