Christine McCumsey

     It is with great sadness that the family of Christine McCumsey announce her sudden passing on January 11, 2024. Christine was born on March 4, 1955, at the Yorkton Regional Hospital, the first child of Eddie and Sophie (nee Walchuk) Kozuska. Christine grew up on the family farm where she had the perfect toys around her. This included not only all the farm cats, but a pet rooster that would ride on her bicycle handles, her sleigh dog Dookie, and a cow named Baby that she would ride like a horse. If she wasn’t in school or at camp, band, swimming lessons, hanging out with friends, or doing chores she could be found in one of the surrounding bushes. Mom could barely keep up with the seasonal mushrooms and berries that Christine would pick. In between the fun, she was by her dad’s side – his sidekick helper. She always stood out in a crowd with her beautiful long red hair. Dad often teased her about how easy she was to find and how she would never blend in with the crowd.

     She received her Grades 1 to 12 education in Sturgis, graduating in 1974. Always up for an adventure, just a couple days after graduation, she hopped on a train to Jasper, AB, where she knew no one. There she was employed by Columbia Ice Fields in the summer and Marmot Basin Ski Resort in the winter. She loved it there and enjoyed exploring the surrounding areas on her days off. It was there that she met the love of her life, Randy McCumsey, and they married in 1976. Shortly after their marriage was a move to Yellowknife, NWT for Randy’s career. In 1979, Randy had another career move to Fort St. John, BC and it became their forever home base.

     Christine and Randy loved being out in nature. On their time off they would take off on a road trip either by truck, car, or motorcycle. Packed along was often a tent, camping supplies, and always a camera. This love of the outdoors spilled over to their yard – which was their sanctuary. Christine spent countless hours in her garden, garden beds, and Saskatoon patch. She loved researching the plants that would grow in the area filling her freezer and pantry. Her neighbours said her gardens were always beautiful. The love for growing plants continued in her house where there was an array of houseplants – from bonsai and orchids to huge bromeliads, something was always blooming.

     Christine had many different jobs through her lifetime. Working in food service, secretarial, pet shop, health food store, and finally Liberty Tax in Fort St. John, BC from 1999 to 2018. She was always open to learning more and was very proud of the certificates that she earned along the way. Christine had a kind and giving heart, always wanting to help the unfortunate and listen to their stories. Those who worked with her said that she was always helpful and positive.

     Christine was predeceased by her loving husband Randy, her parents Eddie and Sophie (Walchuk) Kozuska, father-in-law Donald and mother-in-law Dorothy (Petrovich) McCumsey.

     She is survived by her sister Cindy (Nestor) Dutchak and their daughter Kendra Dutchak (Trevor DeCook), brother-in-laws Myron McCumsey and Larry (Sherry) McCumsey and their daughter Riesa McCumsey.

     A private ceremony and celebration of life will be held in March by Christine’s family for both Christine and Randy. They will both be laid to rest in Yorkton Memorial Gardens.

     Another private ceremony and celebration of life will be held in May by Randy’s family for both Randy and Christine in Jasper, AB, where they met and were married.