Obituary of Christina (Chris) Beaton Blair nee Skelly

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Christina (Chris ) Beaton Blair on December 31, 2022.

 

Christina is survived by her son, Donald (Terry); daughter, Cynthia Abols; granddaughters, Kathleen and Elizabeth; brother, Bill; nieces, Bev, Marianne, Sandra, Tanya and Chrissy; brother-in-law, Pete Chapman; and niece Laura.  She was predeceased in 2010 by her loving husband, Jack Blair; her parents, George and Morag Skelly; her mother-in-law, Muriel Blair Watson; and her sisters-in-law, Nat Skelly and Beryl Chapman.

 

Christina was born in Montreal on May 9, 1931, but she was raised and lived in North Bay most of her life. For the last 8 years, she resided in the Wenleigh Nursing Home in Mississauga.

 

Notably, Chris was one of the original members of the North Bay Figure Skating Club. She trained in Schumacher in the summer months under World Champion, Hans Gerschwiler, from Switzerland. Following her test and competitive skating, Chris was the first club skater to be hired as coach of the North Bay Figure Skating Club. In the early 1950s, Chris joined Ice Follies and toured the U.S. and parts of Canada with the ice show. When she returned from the show to North Bay, she and Jack married, and she resumed coaching. As well, Chris established and coached at new clubs in Temiscaming, Quebec, Mattawa, Powassan, and South River. She also coached at clubs in New Liskeard, Espanola, and CFB Lahr, Germany. After many years of coaching at the North Bay Figure Skating Club, Chris became director of the North Bay Summer Skating School, leaving to retire after 5 years.

 

In addition to coaching recreational, test, and competitive figure skaters, Chris was an accomplished seamstress and sewing teacher.

 

After retiring, Chris and Jack spent many years enjoying winters in Chapala, Mexico, and later in Clearwater, Florida. She enthusiastically continued her love of figure skating in Florida by participating in a Synchronized Skating team. Also, she delighted in dancing: clogging, tapping, and line dancing with friends.

 

Chris was a kind, thoughtful, creative, and generous lady! She is greatly missed, and we hold her close in our hearts.

 

Cremation and a private remembrance have taken place.

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