Celebrating the Life of June U. Christie
Ask not how did she die, but how did she live?
Ask not what did she gain, but what did she give?
Did she befriend those really in need?
Did she ever banish a tear, with words of good cheer,
Or bring back a smile?
These are the units to measure the worth
Of a woman or man as a human being, regardless of birth.
Today, we do not mourn but celebrate the life of a nurturing, compassionate sister, mother, friend, colleague, teacher extraordinaire, and a lady who was one in a million June U. Christie.
June Ulani Christie was born on July 9, 1954 in Frankfield, Clarendon. Some of her childhood friends may remember her as Urlina, a name she would later change.
She was the first of four children that was born to Agatha and Elmore Christie. Raised in a Christian home, June was involved in church activities and gave her life to the Lord at an early age. She was a member of the Young People Movement and the Youth Choir and was never absent from the Sunday school class.
Her early childhood education started at the Waterworks Baptist Church Basic School, then she moved on to Frankfield Primary where she sat the Common Entrance Examinations and was successful. She gained a place at the Frankfield Comprehensive High School (now Edwin Allen High) where her academic performance was exemplary.
According to her high school class teacher, Dorothy Francis who in recent years became her friend and mentor, June would always sit at the front of the class and was always a focused student.
During her high school years, June was active with the 4H Club and the Girls’ Guide Association where she would participate in its many activities including camping. She was the mother of the group. She would be in charge of the selling of cookies, ice-cream - the works. You name it; it was June Christie, head, cook and bottle washer. Playing was rarely a part of her regime. She could always be seen studying, reading, writing and doing homework research.
It was this focus on education and studying, encouraged by her parents which led her to pursue a career in teaching. As a pre-trained teacher, she taught for 2 years at the Alley Primary School in Clarendon while living with her Aunt Hazel. She went on to St Joseph’s Teachers’ College where she gained a certificate as a teacher. Again she excelled in her chosen field and did her internship at Alvernia Preparatory School.
Upon completion, June worked at Tarrant Primary School in Kingston.
In 1981 she became a member of the teaching staff at Mona Preparatory School where she moulded many young lives for 30 years.
Christie’s quest for knowledge continued and so she pursued the Diploma in Teacher Education at The Mico Teachers’ College. She later pursued the Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of the West Indies, Mona and a Masters Degree at Nova South Eastern University.
One of June’s greatest aspirations was to undertake further studies in education, at the PhD level. She had started the planning... Given time and opportunity there would have been no stopping Dr June Christie. However, time did not permit her heart’s desire.
Her love for the Mona Preparatory family was second to none. June Christie loved teaching. It was a vocation. She loved her students and would be at school from Mondays to Sundays; from dawn until dusk marking papers and preparing lesson plans. It is no secret that year after year, Grade 5 Christie would be assigned some of the students who were most problematic; and that many parents sought to have their children placed in this class.
That reason was a dedicated, devoted and hardworking teacher who was also a disciplinarian - June Christie.
By the time they were entering Grade 6, the changes in the children were always significant; whether through improvement in behaviour or academic excellence.
She knew how to manage her students’ strengths and weaknesses. She was fair and discipline was administered with a velvet glove.
Her legacy is evident in the many graduates who would return to visit and thank her for her role in shaping their lives. Miss Christie was simply the best.
She was friendly, warm, outgoing, loving, private, spontaneous, a no-nonsense and pleasant person with a great sense of humour. She enjoyed a good party and was always willing to be entertained. Once you are in Christie’s company her personality would readily emanate. She enjoyed the company of people and made many lasting friendships. June had many friends locally and internationally. Each was special to her. She loved them all and they loved her in return.
She loved her family. She spoke endlessly, passionately and proudly about her sisters, Patsy and Yvonne; her brother, Saturn; and her son, Jason whom she did not physically birth but choose to nurture and care for from childhood. Her cousins: Norma, Carol, Marion, Suzette, Ward, Paul, Niki and Aaron were an integral part of the close-knit family unit. Later grand-daughter, Grace and her mother Jennifer were admitted to the charmed family circle.
Christie loved her God. She was a member of the Shiloh Apostolic Church and later Hope United Church where she sang on the choir and found time to participate in all church activities.
Food... Christie loved it. She loved finger-licking Jamaican Cuisine. Ackee and saltfish: roas’ breadfruit, steamed fish, stewed peas with pig’s tail. Not to mention her sisters’ cooking.
Ironically, when it was her time to prepare the meals at home all broke loose. Oh if those pots, pans and plates could tell the tales! As such she was seldom allowed in the kitchen, if any at all.
Christie had a high sense of fashion. She was always attired in matching shoes and accessories. She was classy, trendy and her hair was well-groomed. She was both fashionable and stylish. She spent hours designing the perfect outfit for various occasions. For Prize Giving each year, both teachers and students would be wondering what Miss Christie would be wearing as she was seen as the best dressed teacher. Indeed, Tyra Banks could benefit from Christie’s fashion sense!
Her strength of character was clearly demonstrated during her illness. Always positive, she never complained. She revelled in the care of her sisters, Patsy and Yvonne who rallied around her through it all.
Thanks to her medical and health care team, some of whom just simply cared and wanted to offer her help (Dr Soni, Dr. Baker, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Graham and Dr. Francis and Nurse Cecile) she remained relatively stable. One of her greatest resolution was to get out of bed and walk. This was not realized.
The family also recognizes the caring support of friends and colleagues including Hope, Maureen, Mrs. Ellis, Mrs. Mullings, Mrs. Francis, Andrea, Donna, the Copelands, Lisa, Lillieth, Carol, Maxine, Annette, Deon, Alicia, Monica, Melva, Cecile, Juanita and the church and school communities led by Rev. Fowler and Ms. Blanchard respectively.
June Christie transitioned this world as she had always lived surrounded by love and in the arms of her sister.
And so…
If we listen carefully, her voice echoes those of Isla Paschal Richardson and Henry Scott Holland respectively:
“Grieve not, nor speak of me with tears, but laugh and talk of me as if I were beside you there.”
“I have only slipped away into the next room, I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other, that we still are. Call me by my old familiar name. Speak to me in the easy way which you always used... Play, smile, think of me... All is well”.