Mrs. April Elizabeth Christie

It is with profound sadness that the family of April Elizabeth Christie announce her passing on Monday, August 26 at the age of 66 years. She will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 45 years, Peter; children: Emily (JP Bernal) and Amelia (Shea Frederick); grandchildren: Aidan, Elijah, and Andreus; as well as numerous relatives and friends. She was predeceased by her son, Stephen; daughter, Alexis; and her parents: Thomas and Janet Rowley.

April was born April 24, 1958, in Quakertown, PA. Her family eventually moved to Florida, where she enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1977. Soon after, she met and married her devoted husband, Peter, in 1979. They welcomed four children between 1981-1987. April and Peter lived in Memphis, TN for 13 years, then happily relocated to Orlando where she lived the last 26 years.

April was an avid gardener, and an encyclopedia of plants lived in her mind. She also loved to read, enter (and win) sweepstakes, and run on the treadmill, until her health led to limitations. No matter how poorly she felt, she always managed a smile and to say, “don’t worry about me, I’ll be fine.” Though her health was failing for years, few people knew the extent of her struggle. Her love for her family and her dogs kept her pushing through the pain. April’s children and grandchildren made up the entirety of her world, and she was a star in their eyes. It is wrong to say that she lost her battle because she never stopped fighting.

A Visitation Service will be held at 6 p.m. on Monday, September 2 at Baldwin-Fairchild Funeral Home (501 E Mitchell Hammock Road, Oviedo). A Funeral Service will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, September 3 at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church (1217 Trinity Woods Lane, Maitland). We ask that friends and family wear blue, her favorite color, in her honor.

Memorial donations may be made in April’s name to The Congregation of The Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy (sisterfaustina.org) or the dog rescue of your choice.