Christine Elizabeth De Vore passed away with her loving family by her side the afternoon of May 29, 2013, at her home in Phoenix, Ariz. She was 60.
Christine (Chris) was born Nov. 18, 1952, in Monte Vista, Colo., to Violet (Anderson) De Vore and the late Richard (Dick) De Vore. Chris grew up in Pagosa Springs. She started playing the clarinet when she was in the fifth grade and played in band until she graduated from high school. She was a member of the Methodist Church and sang in the choir several years when she was in high school. Chris was a member of the Order of Rainbow for Girls and served in many of the offices of the Order including the highest office of Worthy Advisor. In high school, Chris was in Future Homemakers of America, Pep Club, band, choir and National Honor Society. In 1970, Chris graduated from Pagosa Springs High School as salutatorian. She worked at the Spring Inn Motel for Bob and Helen Curvey several summers while she was in high school.
In the fall of 1970, Chris started college at the University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, and earned her B.A. degree in elementary education in 1974. After teaching for eight years, Chris returned to college and received her M.A. special education from the University of Arizona in Tucson in 1984. Chris taught in New Mexico schools — Crownpoint, Gallup, Los Lunas, Albuquerque and Rio Rancho. During her teaching career, Chris attended college at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque and earned an Education Specialist Certificate in integrating technology into the classroom. She was an education technology specialist at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School in Rio Rancho, N.M., when she retired in 2009 after working 33 years in education. Chris loved teaching and working with children. She was highly respected by many of her colleagues.
Chris was very active in her educational sorority, Alpha Delta Kappa. She was initiated into Theta Chapter in September 1978 while she was teaching in Gallup. In her Iota Chapter in Rio Rancho, she was treasurer two years, president elect two years, and president two years. She was on the New Mexico State Budget Committee, state treasurer (1992-1994), state president elect (1994-1996) and New Mexico state president (1996-1998). Under her leadership in 1997, New Mexico Alpha Delta Kappa won an International Award for having the largest membership growth of all states, provinces and nations. Chris traveled to many international conventions and regional conferences including, in Kansas City, Denver, San Francisco, Nashville, Salt Lake City, Reno, St. Louis and Colorado Springs. Her chapter also hosted a conference in Albuquerque.
Chris had many interests and talents. She was an avid reader and loved puzzles, especially sudoku. She was an eloquent speaker and a gifted artist. She loved music and enjoyed painting mountain scenery pictures and beautiful ceramic nativity sets for family members. She loved swimming and water aerobics. Chris was very proud of her rather large assortment of turtle collectibles.
Chris was preceded in death by her father, Richard Isaac De Vore, and her brother, Larry Richard De Vore.
She is survived by her mother, Violet De Vore, and her sisters Marla Garza and Laure De Vore, all of Phoenix, Ariz.; numerous nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
Chris was a wonderful, caring daughter, sister, aunt and cousin, and was a friend to many. For the past three and a half years, the diseases of dementia and ALS robbed Chris of her mind and precious memories. She left us too soon, but we feel blessed that we were able to help her remain at home in Phoenix with her family. We miss her very much.
A private family celebration of Chris’ life was held July 13, 2013, at her home in Phoenix, Ariz.
