1928 – 2018
PORTLAND – Christine Shapazian, 89, of Yarmouth, passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2018 at St. Joseph’s Manor in Portland, after several long illnesses. She was the wife of Carl Henry Shapazian and recently celebrated 70 years of marriage on Jan. 18 before his death on Feb. 28, 2018.
She was born in Portland on Sept. 25, 1928, the daughter of the late Rosario Rossetti and Carmella (Ceccarossi) Rossetti. She was a graduate of Portland High School, class of 1946.
Christine was a life member of the Italian Heritage Center. She loved to jitterbug and enjoyed dances at the center and the Elks Club.
She enjoyed making crafts, selling her items at 3 to 4 holiday Christmas craft fairs for years in the Portland area. She was an avid gardener and seamstress. She loved to play the organ, piano, and accordion especially for family and friends. Sundays and holiday dinners were her favorite family moments. She was famous for yodeling and getting everyone up to dance the alley cat, and Italian cookies.
Christine retired from Blue Cross/Blue Shield after 20 years as an assistant manager of cashiers. She received several service awards for her work during that time. She also worked at Coastal Athletics for 14 years monogramming, embroidering and screen printing. As a high school student she worked at her father’s restaurant after school cleaning.
Christine enjoyed trips to Las Vegas and Oxford Casino. She cared for her parents for 18 years until their deaths, as well as anyone in need, family and friends included. She had a kind and giving heart.
She was a most beloved wife, dear mother, devoted Aunt and friend. She was a petite, tiny force of nature who shared her opinions and beliefs freely, always wanting to make things better for those she cared about.
Christine is survived by a daughter, Maryanne Giggey, and her husband, Timothy, of Yarmouth, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was also the sister of the late John Rossetti and Philip Rossetti, Sr.
Friends and family are invited to share their memories and offer their condolences by visiting Christine’s online guestbook at www.jonesrichandbarnes.com
A funeral service will be held at 11am on Friday, August 17, 2018 at Jones, Rich & Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, Maine. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, 1461 Broadway, South Portland, ME 04106. In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to, Paw in the Door Cat Rescue, Bath, Maine, 04530 (In Honor of Romeo and Daphne). A service of Jones, Rich and Barnes Funeral Home, 199 Woodford St., Portland, Maine. 775-3763.
