Richard Christiansen was born July 27, 1911 in Austerlitz, NY to Charles H and Selma (Bockman) Christiansen.
He was one of 5 boys and 2 girls
Ma
Margaret Anna Romer was born July 21, 1914 in Port Jervis, NY to Charles and Phoebe (Percell) Romer.
She was the oldest of 4 girls and 4 boys. The photo below is Ma at 17.
Richard & Margaret Christiansen
Wedding Day
December 17, 1933
Margaret Anna (Romer) Christiansen
July 21, 1914 to November 12, 2004
Richard M. Christiansen Sr.
July 27, 1911 to May 21, 1982
She told me they moved 13 times their first year of marriage.
When she was expecting her first child dad was working in the coal mines in West Virginia and when she went in labor she told him she wanted to go home, so home they came to Port Jervis area. They had 9 kids and the amazing thing about that was girl, boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl, boy, girl. They did lose the 3rd boy at 6 weeks old to leukemia. Dad was a farmer and Ma worked in a fruit packing plant. She told me she used to put me in an apple crate when I was a baby while she packed apples. In 1948 we made the move across the mighty Hudson River to Dover Plains, NY and although we still moved often, we always seems to come back to Dover. Dad continued farming and Ma did babysitting and took in laundry. When all her children were in school she worked in the school cafeteria. In 1967 they went to work at Wassaic State School and remained there for 9 and a half years when dad became ill and they retired.
Retirement from
Wassaic State School - 1977
More Camping
More Bingo
Ma & Dad with all 8 kids at the oldest granddaughter's wedding
Dad died suddenly May 21, 1982. After that Ma moved to Pine Plains, NY and even though she never drove, she was never home. She went to Bingo as many nights as she could, attended church, worked in the thrift shop and made plastic canvas christmas ornaments. She also joined a bowling league and bowled for several years, as well as joining the Ladies Auxiliary. We had to make an appointment to see her and we sure didn't make them at Bingo times. hehehe.
Ma @ home 1987
Ma
Ma - 1985
Ma loved Tweety, she had so much Tweety stuff including a real Yellow Parakeet named Tweety ( she had him for about 8 yrs )
<<<< Left to Right - Ma, Granddaughter Sandy, friend, Granddaughter Sharon - Daughter-in-law Carol
Ma with Granddaughters, Debbie, Sharon, Daughter-in-law Carol and Granddaughter Tina
Ma
Tina
Bowling Banquet - 1992
Ma with her hands on a stripper, OH MY >>>
<<< Ma in the parade, just look at that smile
Ma and Santa (Son Raymond) >>>>>
Ma with her sister Phoebe
90
Photos from Hudson Valley Senior Residence 2001 - 2003
- Ma spent 2 years here and enjoyed the activities and made many friends
Ma with Alice and Bill on one of their visits from Florida
Ma & Vicki
Ma & Tilly
Ma & Patrick
Ma with Great Granddaughters Karlee and Chelsea
Ma with Daughter Irene and
Great Granddaughters Paige and Tori
Ma with The Clowns
Ma with The Bird
90
90
90
90
Click jukebox to hear some songs that remind me of Ma & Dad and my childhood
We lost Ma on November 12, 2004
On November 16, 2004 - We had a beautiful visitation at
Peck & Peck Funeral Home in Pine Plains, NY
A very personal and touching service by Rev. Nancy Thorton-Mckensie
at First Presbyterian Church in Pine Plains, NY
Final Resting Place in Valley View Cemetery in Dover Plains, NY along side my dad.
Followed by a wonderful meal put on by the Pine Plains Ladies Auxiliary at the Pine Plains Fire House
We wish to thank all of our friends and coworkers for their support
by joanie 11/18/04
She left behind 8 children and their spouses as well as 21 grandchildren and spouses, 37 great grandchildren, some with spouses and 7 great great grandchildren. We are thankful she lived a full and active life.
Ma's 90th Birthday Party, click the photo to see complete album
.gif){kind=small}
