- Date Of Birth: February 9, 1951
- Date Of Death: October 25, 2021
- State: Colorado
Christine was born to Edward and Maxine Zessin in Columbus, NE on February 9, 1951. She spent part of her childhood in Nebraska, then moved with her family to Colorado. She lived a childhood of instability, moving every month or two from house to house. She eventually landed in the Englewood/Littleton area of Colorado. In high school, she started working at King’s Food Host, a fast food restaurant in Littleton. It was here that she met the love of her life, Dennis. The two of them knew what struggle was and through their mutual struggles, they found refuge in each other. They wed in August of 1971.
Christine and Dennis settled into their first home in Englewood. This is the home they would eventually raise all three of their children in. It was important to Christine to give her children a life of stability. They welcomed their first daughter, Carrie, in October of 1979. Their son, Derek, was born in June of 1982 and their youngest daughter, Stacie, was born in September of 1984. To Chris, being a mom was the best job she could ever imagine having and she did this job so well. She was heavily involved in the school system, volunteering and being a part of the PTO. You could always find her running the cake walk at the elementary school carnival every year. She eventually went on to be employed in the school system, first at a paraprofessional helping in the classroom, and then as secretary of her children’s middle school. She was well known to all the students and teachers.
After working in the school system, Chris spent some time working as a receptionist in her best friend’s OB/GYN office. She loved this job because it meant she got to see many newborn babies. She absolutely adored children and would never pass up the opportunity to hold a baby for a new mom.
Chris loved to talk and smile. She could make friends with anyone, even the random stranger at the grocery store, carrying on conversation for what seemed to her kids like forever. She was generous and kind. She always saw the best in people and was quick to forgive. She was known for her smile and optimistic outlook.
In the last two years of her life, Chris was cared for by some of the most amazing people at Lighthouse Assisted Living. She befriended everyone in her residence. Her caretakers provided her with friendship and companionship and she lived her final years in some of the most capable hands. She was especially bonded to her caretaker from the time she moved in, Kina, and her family will be eternally grateful for the care Kina provided. She was also befriended by the maintenance man, Will, and she would follow him around like a shadow.
Chris passed away peacefully on October 25, 2021 after a long battle with dementia. She was surrounded by her family and friends in the days leading up to her death. She is preceded in death by her father, Edward Zessin, mother, Maxine Zessin, and sister, Cheryl Zessin. She is survived by her husband of 50 years, Dennis Coleman, her sister, Cindy Porter, daughter and son in law, Carrie and Jason Luerssen, her son, Derek Coleman, her daughter, Stacie Coleman, and her grandchildren, Emilie and Lorelei.
