Christine Rose Yankowski

Christine Rose Yankowski was 92 years old when she passed away peacefully in her sleep on September 12, 2015, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease and pneumonia. She was born on August 23, 1923, in Brooklyn, New York, the oldest of three children born to Henry and Emma Brandt. She was married to Joe Yankowski for almost 70 years, and they had two children, Lin and Tom. Growing up in New York, Chris was very proud of the perfect school attendance record she achieved, never missing a day of classes from kindergarten to her senior year of high school. After graduating, Chris met her future husband, Joe, on a blind date. When Joe was to be transferred to the South Pacific during World War II, they decided to marry on April 15, 1944. She wrote love letters to Joe every day until he returned. After the birth of their two children, Chris and Joe decided to leave New York City to raise their young family in Lindenhurst, Long Island. When Joe accepted a job in the aerospace industry in Southern California in 1963, Chris was able to reunite with her sister, Dorothy, and her family who lived nearby. Eventually, Chris’s parents also moved from New York to the city of Orange, and as a result, the Yankowski, Brandt, and Tivenan families were able to continue a lifelong bond. Chris was a devoted mother and always put her family first. When her children were older, Chris found her “dream job” as a school secretary at Heim Elementary School, and she worked with the Orange Unified School District until she retired at the age of 62. Chris and Joe were inseparable. They traveled extensively to Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Caribbean Islands. In Orange, they had many close relationships with family, neighbors, and their church community at Calvary Chapel Old Towne (formerly the First Baptist Church of Orange). Chris was a Sunday School teacher for many years and was active with Released Time Christian Education. Chris’ faith was a guiding force in her life. Chris was cherished by her three grandchildren, Colin, Nico, and Maura. She was their biggest fan, as she traveled to attend their athletic, dance, theater, and musical programs. She played countless games of Scrabble and croquet with them. She supported them with positive reinforcement when they faced difficult times. Chris was a giver. She cared for her parents daily as they approached their later years. She had a close and supportive relationship with Laurie, Dorothy’s youngest daughter, who has special needs. She patiently cared for Joe when he developed ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, nearly two years ago. Joe was her best friend and the love of her life, and we know that they are together in spirit now. Chris leaves behind her daughter, Lin O’Leary M.D., and her husband Burke O’Leary of Olympia, Washington, and their children, Maura O’Leary of Los Angeles, California, and Colin O’Leary of Carrboro, North Carolina; her son, Tom Yankowski, and his wife Trinidad Madrigal, and child, Nico Madrigal-Yankowski of San Francisco, California. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Gertrude Brandt, of Staten Island, New York; her brother-in-law, Paul Jankowski of Phoenix, Arizona; and her sister-in-law, Helen Gowski of Clearwater, Florida. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, all of whom claim her as “Aunt Chris.” Chris was preceded in death by her parents; by her brother, Henry; and her sister, Dorothy. She was also beloved by her in-laws, Edward Tivenan, Anthony and Eleanor Yankowski, Edward and Annette Jankowski, Tony and Claire Gleba, Edward Gowski, and Walter Jankowski, all of whom preceded her in death. The family would like to thank Brookdale Olympia Assisted Living Facility, Home Instead Senior Care, and Providence Hospice Care for their ongoing support and loving care for our mother. Mollie, Chris’s beloved dog, was her constant companion. Donations to the Alzheimer’s Association in Chris’ name would be appreciated to help fight this difficult disease. Wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, friend – Chris will be missed by all who knew her. Please leave memories of Chris or condolences for her family in the Guestbook below.