Fresno, California - Christine Fredericks Harrison, was born to Rose and Jack (Federico) Fredericks on May 3, 1923 in Fresno, California. She was the youngest of five daughters and attended elementary and junior high school in San Francisco. She shared many fond memories of growing up in San Francisco. After moving to her parents Fresno farm, Christine attended Central High in Fresno, and Fresno State College. Christine completed her graduate work at San Francisco State and completed a Masters of Fine Arts at Columbia University in 1952. She was "Chris" to her family and friends where she worked as a teacher and art consultant. Teaching assignments included Fresno City Schools, Fresno State University, and the Army Dependent School in Augsburg, Germany. It was in Germany that she met and married Army Major Bill Harrison. While in Europe, they traveled throughout Germany and Italy. After returning to the United States, Chris and Bill lived in Texas and Vacaville, California before returning to Fresno to raise their family.
When their children were grown, Bill and Chris traveled to Austria, Germany, Italy, Hawaii, Korea and Japan. Christine enjoyed putting together exhibits of children's' art for exchanges with Germany, Korea, and Japan. Christine was proud to be a charter member of the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington D.C. In later years, Chris and Bill also enjoyed visiting presidential libraries throughout the United States. After Bill's death, Chris joined the Retired Teachers Association and enjoyed attending Town Hall lectures.
Christine is survived by her four children, Kathleen, David, Diane, and John, and son-in-law Richard Mead, Grandson Daniel Harrison and his wife Julia, Granddaughter Kelsey Janisch and her husband Max. Christine has three great grandchildren, Benjamin Harrison, Kristine Harrison, and Miller Janisch.
Christine will be buried in a private ceremony at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Santa Nella, California.
