Marguerite "Chris" C. Addis

Marguerite C. "Chris" Addis, 88, of Albuquerque, New Mexico, passed away peacefully in her sleep January 22, 2019. She was born September 14, 1930 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Marguerite Elizabeth Christjohn and Preston Arthur Christjohn. She was a fun loving, adventurous, generous and kind person who thought of everybody else before herself. Her smile said it all. Chris graduated from John Handley High School in Winchester, Virginia in 1948 and earned a bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy from Boston University Sargent College in 1952. Chris was an athlete and dancer in High School; she played lacrosse, field hockey and basketball. She went to Boston University to become a PE Coach. The Polio epidemic broke out and they were recruiting for Physical Therapists to complete the program at Boston University. She responded to the call and became a Physical Therapist. She was a practicing Physical Therapist in Columbus, Ohio at Ohio State University Hospital, from 1952-1957, during the polio epidemic. She was married in Worthington, Ohio February 9th, 1957 to Richard Barton Addis, of Portsmouth Ohio and started a family in Canton, Ohio. In 1963, the family moved to Albuquerque and Chris became a wonderful full-time mother while volunteering at school libraries, as a girl scout leader, 4-H Mom and cub scout den mother. She was an active supporter/usher at Popejoy Hall. Her strength guided the family through many rough times. In 1987, Chris returned to working again as a Physical Therapist in Albuquerque. She worked with adults, at Lovelace Medical Center. She then turned her focus to pediatrics: both early intervention and working with severely profoundly disabled children. She worked in the Pueblos at Acoma, Laguna, Jemez, San Felipe and up in Santa Fe school system. She enjoyed teaching PT students from UNM. In Albuquerque, she was an active member of her community. Chris was a member of the First Unitarian Church, and the Head of the Care Committee. She was involved in the afternoon tutoring program, along with working in the gardens at the UU church. Chris was also the President of the New Mexico Chapter of the Physical Therapy Association, the President of the Xeric Garden Club, the President of the Altura Park Neighborhood Association, and the President of" SHH" The Society for the Hard of Hearing. She was an active supporter/usher for performances at Popejoy Hall. She was also involved in the Single Payer program, attempting to see it as a reality. She was a Master Gardener. She loved gardening, quilting, painting, calligraphy, playing tennis with "Silver Racquets", doing things with her family/friends in Albuquerque. She also enjoyed travelling to see her Son/Daughter in law and their children. She loved adventures, driving across country and exploring faraway places like China and Russia. She leaves her two children Jackie Addis and her husband John Renna of Tijeras, NM, and Bart Addis and his wife Darlene Chisholm of Belmont, MA, four grandchildren Nathan Clark, Carl Renna, Grant Addis and Clark Addis, nieces, nephews and many other family and friends. Also, her dog, Rusty. A memorial service will be held by the family at The First Unitarian Church, September 14, 2019 @ 2:30. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the New Mexico Animal Humane Association.animalhumanenm.org Arrangements entrusted to: Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque 225 San Mateo Blvd (505) 764-9663