Eliza “Christine” Booker

Beloved wife of the late James Booker. Predeceased by her parents James and Christine Jenkins-Howson. Loving mother of Lynne Booker, Marie Booker and the late Christine Spevack (Perry). Dear grandmother of Sean, Jessica, Nzingah, Jacob and Haley and Great-Grandmother to Layla, Luna, Noah and Elia. Also survived by her brother Barry Howson and predeceased by her brothers James, Laverne, David Ross and Fred, sisters Kay, Evelyn Rose and Marion. She will be greatly missed by many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Christine “Teeny” Booker embodied Black Canadian Excellence. With a laugh and wit much bigger than her name, she was inextricable from her community which was led by her determined and wise parents and siblings. Teeny stood confident in her femininity during a time in Canadian History when Black women were discouraged to shine bright in their beauty.

Christine answered to many names, and those who knew her know her phone never stopped ringing: Mom, Grandma, Aunty Teeny, Lioness Chris, Mrs. Booker were many of the names you would often hear her family & friends call her by.

As a young and spirited child Christine was raised by a village of siblings, cousins, neighbors, congregation members and family friends. Her childhood stories reveal this unshakable, trusted, lively community. One that seems to be lost in our modern world. Her childhood memories also reveal a long and whimsical childhood. Perhaps this long childhood is what carried her through to 96yrs.

Although she died of complications due to her old age, in many ways it wasn’t until her very late 80’s when Teeny seemed to begin to show signs of aging. In fact, only until March 2020 did she have a grey hair.

As a young woman living in both London and Toronto, Christine spent her days entwined with her sisters and brothers. In her siblings she found confidence and joy and that connection was evident in her older years when her brothers who called, also regularly visited when she needed them.

She recalled feeling the most free and at ease on her bicycle, riding through Toronto.

When she moved back to London, she worked and fell in love with her husband James. A broad man with soft eyes, James Booker and Christine became over a boulder in both of their families and in their communities. Together they raised three daughters and an adopted son always on a humble budget but always with the values and expectations of the black Canadian excellence that ran through Christine.

A devoted member for decades of the London East Lioness Club, she was an active member, organizing and leading the club in many fundraisers and activities in and around the greater London area. She made many lifelong friendships there.

For most of her adult life, she was half of an inseparable pair. Teeny and Jim were needed by those around them. Perpetually dropping-off this for that person, or waiting at home for so and so to pick something up they needed. Everything truly important to them was rooted in family and community. By way of pop-quiz while looking through her endless photo albums, her children, and grandchildren had to learn the names of their elders, distant cousins and long-time family friends.

But she was at times also in need. Particularly after her Jim died. But then her community served her. She always appreciated the helping hands of her niece Mary.

Towards her later years she lived independently but not alone as she was surrounded by memorabilia of her family in the shape of photographs upon photographs, trinkets of black angels and black Jesus’ and prints of positive and affirming images of black leaders whom she and James admired.

After the loss of her daughter Christine, Teeny seemed to cherish even more her beloved grand and great grandchildren, proudly showing everyone photographs and sharing simple anecdotes with her community about their life and progress

As she aged her eldest daughter Lynne was always by her side, either with constant visits at Queens Village or on day trips to a market or restaurant.

Thank you to The staff at Queens Village, specifically Laura.

Thank you to the staff in palliative care at University Hospital, especially Ronnie and Ashley.

Christine Booker lived a full life. She loved so many people and so many people loved her. May her grace, wisdom and commitment to her community be a benchmark of Black excellence for generations to come.

Christine will be buried next to her husband at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in London Ontario. Due to the risk of COVID 19, the immediate family will have a private burial. We ask you to safely visit her grave site after Tuesday July 28, 2020.

In honor of her father’s life-long commitment to the legal justice system we ask for donations to be sent to Black Legal Action Center (720 Spadina Ave #221 Toronto, ON M5S 2T9 or donate online https://www.blacklegalactioncentre.ca). A non-profit community legal clinic that provides free legal services for low or no income Black residents of Ontario.

Online condolences may be left at www.needhamfuneralhome.com