In Memory

Chris Campbell (North)

Chris Campbell (North)

11/8/2103
 
A couple of weeks ago Chris was walking with the dogs, Jones and Bridger, on the beach in front of their home at Spruce Point in Waldport, OR. At some point the dogs came running back towards Chris, caught her off balance and she fell and fractured her left tibia, just below the knee. 
 
She was rescued from the beach by an EMT team, taken to the local hospital and surgery was performed a few days later in Corvallis. She returned home late last week and all seemed to be going well until Tuesday, very early AM, when she fainted after rising from bed. They were not able to resuscitate her.
 
Obituary

Christine Campbell North passed away unexpectedly, but peacefully, at home in Seal Rock, Oregon on November 5, 2013. Chris, as her friends and family knew her, was born June 24, 1943 in Berkeley, California to Art and Dotty Campbell, the second of two daughters. She grew up in Oberlin, Ohio, attended boarding school in England and graduated from Claremont High School, class of 1961 in Claremont, California where her family called home. She attended Pitzer College and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Asian Studies. While at Pitzer, she took two years off to study Intensive Japanese, one year at Stanford University as well as one year at Tokyo Christian College in Tokyo, Japan.

After College, Chris joined the Red Cross as a Donut Dolly and served as a program director in Vietnam attached to the 25th Infantry Division from 1966-1967.  The next six years would take her across the United States where she lived and became active at multiple Army Bases. She worked with at risk youth, helped support fellow army wives and had three beautiful daughters. In 1976, she headed west to California with her three girls, to be near her immediate family and met and fell in love with the man of her dreams.

In March of 1979, Chris married Dr. Richard North and together with their combined children, started a wonderful life and family together. She was the office manager of his medical practice and a dedicated wife and mother, spending countless hours and weekends at swim meets, field hockey games, track meets and wrestling tournaments. Once all of her children had left home, Chris and Rick headed up the west coast and started on the best adventure of their lives. She became immersed in the Oregon Coast community through garden club, book club and card club. She loved having her grandchildren out for extended visits and sharing her treasures with them. She could be found most days walking on the beach, getting lost in the love of her garden or creating her amazing jewelry. She cherished her time with Rick and the many traveling adventures that they got to share.

She is survived by her soulmate and husband of thirty-five years, Dr. Richard L. North of Seal Rock, Oregon; the loves of her life, her children: Tanya Brown (Dan) of Bayfield, WI., Dawn Edmundson (Mark McMann) of Vancouver, WA., Heather Collins (Zac) of Bozeman, MT, Misty Edmundson (David Baggott) of Burien, WA., Trevor North of Amherst, WI; her favorite playmates also known as her grandchildren: Chakote, Campbell, Madison, Sam, Lilly, and Molly; and her sister, Ellae Elinwood. She was also lucky to have many wonderful friends that she considered as part of her extended family and was grateful to each and every one of them for the special place they had in her life.

A celebration of life will take place near Seal Rock, Oregon on May 25, 2014 so that we may commemorate her amazing life on Memorial Day weekend when the Oregon Coast is blessed by beautiful Spring weather. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that a donation be made in her name to one of two charities that were near and dear to her heart, either Eagle Mount Bozeman, 6901 Goldenstein Lane, Bozeman, Montana 59715, www.eaglemount.org or Seashore Family Literacy Center, PO Box 266, Waldport, Oregon 97394, www.seashorefamily.org.

 

 



 
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11/06/13 09:01 AM #1    

Sandra Bridges (Hoover)

Chrissy was such a warm, vital explosion of energy that it is nearly impossible to imagine her flame extinguished. Her absence leaves a hole that only remembering her love of family and life can start to fill. My deepest sympathies and hopes that you are comforted by realizing the difference she made in the world, and all the love she left behind,    Sandi Bridges Hoover


11/06/13 09:09 AM #2    

Don Wilcoxen

Her death is a sad event. I remember her quite well.

 

Don Wilcoxen


11/06/13 10:55 AM #3    

Ronnie Wenker (-Konner)

Chrissy was so very kind to me and had the rare ability to really make me laugh.  I am sad that she won't be in the world.


11/06/13 02:17 PM #4    

John Hearst

so sorry to hear about chris.  i don't think people like her go away, they just change shape a bit and continue to enrich our lives  . . . .


11/07/13 09:09 AM #5    

Diane Neill

Such sad news. Chris was one of those people who had a life force that filled a room. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.


11/08/13 08:13 AM #6    

Sharon Esterley

This is from WOODY DIKE, Class of 59

It is hard to put this into words as Chrissie was always a larger than life person who had the strength of a steam engine and no chance of leaving this Earth but only as the last person standing. 

 
I remember her in High School as the vivacious leader of the pack and in fact the Claremont High was called the Wolf Pack. I met her through her sister Kathy who was in my class of 59 and many gettogethers were in Art and Dotty Campbell's home when she was dating Mike Gonzolas. Chris was a part of your class at Pitzer and was responsible for introducing us. 
 
Her energy for life and powerful outward vivaciousness was contagious and fun trouble was always on the horizon. One drink was not enough...it had to be a party!
 
We will miss her but this powerful spirit will live on in our memories as she I am sure will watch over her selected flock...
 
Woody

11/08/13 08:52 PM #7    

Nancy Foster (Goodman)

Rick and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Losing Chris is like losing a shining star from our lives. Your family are in my my prayers and thoughts. Chris will remain in my heart and memories forever. Such a love and gentle soul.

When we were Juniors, Chris and I shared a coke between classes almost daily. She got mono and guess who did, too!  We must have had a really bad strain of mono, it took us forever to get well! 

At Steve Burt's funeral at Oak Park Cemetary, Chris invited me to come visit her and I have thought about that invitation  so many times and meant to visit.  One thing or another has happened and I didn't make the time.  It's a good lesson for all of us  "JUST DO IT"! We never know when it will be too late to get that bucket list checked off!

To all my remaining classmates, I love you!

Sincerely,

Nancy Foster Goodman


11/10/13 06:55 AM #8    

Bill Kieselhorst

Dear Rick and family

We are shocked and deeply saddened by Chris' passing, and we share your sorrow.  She was a longtime friiend who has stirred us all up for many, many years.  We could count on Chris stirring up a party of some kind from when I first met her in 1957 (a party, of course, at ther home),  and Art and Dotty were always brave enough tp open their home to us.  She was an ally if not a major instigator in the general onslaught of the Class of 61.  I dare not elaborate, but what a phenomenon!  She was such an outgoing friend always receptive and hospitable, a truly gregarious and fun lady, a deeply sincere friend.  I don't think aging blunted her energy in any way.  She was a dear. dear lady and friend, and we will miss her very much. 

Bill and Kathy Kieselhorst 


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