Christine Finkenstaedt

Chrissie (aka Tina, Minnie, Dearie, Nanny) was born on December 21, 1924 in Grosse Pointe, MI to Alma Fauser and George Peck Caulkins. She was the fourth of five children, and a graduate of the Grosse Pointe Country Day School in Grosse Pointe Farms, MI (now University Liggett School), the Kingswood School in Bloomfield Hills, MI, and Bennett College in Millbrook, NY. Except for seven very happy years in East Grand Rapids, MI, Chrissie was a life-long resident of the Grosse Pointes.

Chrissie married William Clements Finkenstaedt in 1949, and spent the next 47 joyous (one of her favorite words) years with him until his death in 1996. They had five children, all of whom survive their parents: Eliza (Lisa) F. Hillhouse (William) of Littleton, CO; George C. Finkenstaedt (Sarah) of Kirkland, WA; William (Mike) C. Finkenstaedt, Jr. (Susan) of Grosse Pointe Farms, MI; Henry (Hank) C. Finkenstaedt (Leslie) of Houston, TX; and Timothy (Tim) C. Finkenstaedt (Mary Jo) of Wrentham, MA. She also had eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild. Additionally, Chrissie is survived by many other family members – including nieces, nephews, and their children and grandchildren.

Her one sister, Barbara C. Lamb, and three brothers, George P. Caulkins, Jr., John E. Caulkins, and Henry L. Caulkins, II predeceased her.

Chrissie was, first and foremost, a force of nature, incredibly organized and involved in all manner of activities; she was a friend to so many of all ages that it is impossible to even begin counting. She was an active member of the charitable and philanthropic Tau Beta Association and The Garden Club of Michigan. Additionally, her many interests included tennis, skiing, golf, gardening, walking, crossword puzzles, and bridge. Chrissie will be remembered, among many other things, for her regular six-mile roundtrip morning walks out to the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club along Lake Shore Road. She was forever an ardent fan of the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Lions.

Chrissie and her family are grateful beyond measure to Dorothy Williams for her many years of extraordinary friendship and compassionate care. They also would like to thank the dedicated caregivers of Hope Senior Home Care, the staff of The Rivers Grosse Pointe, and Custom Hospice.

A memorial service is planned for the spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be directed to Pewabic Pottery of Detroit, Tau Beta Association, The Garden Club of Michigan, or to your favorite charity.