Christine "Chris" Rae Blankenship
Nov 17, 1956 -
Aug 9, 2021
Christine Rae "Chris" Blankenship, 64, passed away on Aug. 9, 2021, in Hilo, Hawaii. Born in Marshalltown, Iowa, she was the daughter of Shirley and William Gerald "Jerry" Blankenship (deceased), of Anchorage, Alaska, and was the oldest of five siblings. She was a loving partner and scores counted her as a friend. She was a mother, grandmother and aunt to Christian, Dan, Cedar, Harry, Riley, Cooper, Rebecca and Jennifer. She also loved and befriended an untold number of animals. At three weeks old, her first of many adventures brought her to Alaska aboard a C-130 cargo plane with her parents. Early in life, she rode out the 1964 earthquake, attended Anchorage Public Schools and began her lifelong love of fishing for the mighty sockeye.
Immensely creative, she was active in local musical and theatrical performances. Over the years, her talents were on display through her work as a designer, carpenter and contractor. She made her mark on the Alaska art scene as a gifted mosaic artist, and later, as one of the owners of her family business, Half Moon Creek Gallery. Throughout her life, Chris was a supportive and encouraging teacher, leading women to discover their own creativity or to swing a hammer for the first time. She was dedicated to a life of sobriety and helped many others along their own sober journeys. She was a longtime feminist and proud member of the LGBT community.
One of Chris's favorite sayings was, "Family First." Her family tent was vast and not defined by biology alone. It included lifelong, childhood friends and those met near the end of her life. It could best be described as chosen and intentional. "How do you all know each other?" was a frequent question, met with a knowing smile and the reply, "Buckle up!"
A Celebration of Life for family and friends was held on Sunday, Aug. 29, 2021. Please consider donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or Planned Parenthood Federation of America, charities near and dear to Chris's heart.
