Christine Mohanty

Dr. Christine Mohanty, 78, of Long Island, New York, left to dance amongst the stars on July 28, 2023, after a long battle with cancer. She is survived by her daughter and best friend Kasmira Mohanty, loving son-in-law William Fenton, devoted brother David Hargraves, beloved cousin Gina Pezzuti, former husband and friend Sangram Mohanty, and extended family.

“Chris” was a French and Spanish world language teacher at Ward Melville High School for over 30 years. After retiring from Three Village School District, her devout love of teaching led her to become an Associate Professor of English & Foreign Languages at Suffolk County Community College. Her colleagues, peers, and students highly respected and celebrated Chris. She received her PhD in 1980 for her work, “Death by Water in Milton.” She also served her community through the American Association of University Women and other organizations.

Chris had an intense lust for life and an insatiable appetite for knowledge. She literally sparkled and glowed whether she was acting, teaching, tap dancing, playing tennis, painting, cooking, dining out, sharing a beverage, chatting, swimming, traveling, or simply playing Scrabble, Mahjong, or Bridge with good friends.

She deeply loved her family and friends. She was a consummate cheerleader, healer, listener, problem solver, storyteller, and support system. Her extreme capacity for love continually overflowed onto her family and friends and was evident in her actions and words.

Her most notable quality was her tenacity. She flattened any obstacle put in front of her, including cancer, for as long as she could. She fought with grace and an unbelievable amount of positivity. She squeezed as much out of life as she could until the end. She attended a family member’s non-local wedding in a badly weakened state with vitality and a massive smile on her face just four days before her passing.

The outpouring of love from so many is evidence of the love she gave and will continue to spread even though she is no longer with us physically in this reality.

“I think it’s important to love, live and laugh. There’s a lot to laugh about.” -Dr. Christine Mohanty

In lieu of flowers, etc... please feel free to make a donation in mom's honor to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Florida memorial services will be held

Saturday / August 19, 2023

11am-1pm

Quattlebaum Funeral, Cremation, and Event Center

5411 Okeechobee Blvd. West Palm Beach, FL 33417

(561) 832-5171

Christine will be deployed to her final resting place at

Neptune Memorial Reef / Key Biscayne

Plenty of room on the boat

Monday / August 21, 2023

10:00am departure | Return 1:00pm or earlier

Name of the Charter Boat: Divers Paradise-Key Biscayne

(305) 361-3483

4000 Crandon Blvd,

Key Biscayne, FL 33149