Christina Louise Keck

Christina Louise Keck (nee Bupp), of Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, on November 13.

Christina Keck was the wife of Stephen Kistler of Elizabethtown, PA.  Born August 5, 1943, Christina was the daughter of Dorothy and Stanley Bupp.  Both parents are deceased.  Her sister Phyllis Kline, and brother Dennis Bupp, both of Harrisburg, PA, survive her.

Christina graduated from Newport (PA) High School and attended Albright College in Reading, PA.  She began teaching in south central Pennsylvania after college, eventually moving to Elmira, NY.  During her working life, Christina taught languages in several schools, most notably Elmira (NY) Free Academy before her children were born, and later at Waverly (NY) High School for 25 years before retiring in 2004.

Christina’s first marriage gave her two sons, Dennis Keck of San Diego, CA, and Andrew Keck of Charlotte, NC.  Dennis and his wife Melissa have two children, Madeleine and Thomas.  Andrew and his wife Denise have one child, Opal.  Christina loved all three of her grandchildren as well as her sons and their wives.  All survive her.

Christina married Stephen in September, 2009 after both had retired.  They first met in the 1990s while working together in a theatrical production known as “Mark Twain ~ The Musical” in Elmira, NY.  Christina lived in Elmira more than 30 years and the city is where her husband Stephen grew up.  Married, they lived in Elizabethtown, PA where Stephen had his home.  Stephen survives her.

Christina enjoyed travel with Stephen, traveling to Germany and Italy as well as many places in the United State and Canada, both before and during their marriage.  She had a number of favorite places.  Number one on her list was annual visits to Acadia National Park where she loved to kayak on the lakes there while watching for loons, plus spending time at the ocean in Acadia.  Other favorite places include Yellowstone National Park, Glacier National Park, and Mesa Verde National Park, though the couple visited many other places as well.  For a number of years they would volunteer two weeks each year on the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina, working with Resource Management.  In retirement, they also spent several weeks each spring at the beach in North Carolina, Christina’s sons and their families joining them when they could.

Close to her retirement, Christina took up knitting, becoming an avid knitter.  She produced sweaters, socks, hats and scarves for family and friends.  She enjoyed spending time with a group of knitters in Elizabethtown and developed quite a “stash” of yarn.

Suggestions for memorials for Christina include a cancer center of your choice to help fight this disease, the Friends of Acadia National Park, Hospice and Community Care (formerly known as Hospice of Lancaster County), or to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.

There will be no viewing or memorial service, and Christina’s ashes will be deposited privately.

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  • If ever two people loved,cared,shared it was this couple, a true love story so sad it was cut short, these two wanting to live life to the fullest, had enough to do it all,they gave it all,they loved it all,they truly loved each other, Chris was the most wonderful lady, Steve would be private about their relationship, yet some of us at LD were given glimpses of how wonderful Chris was and the life they had, so glad I had the honor of know Chris!

  • Dear Andrew and Dennis,
    Please accept my sympathy regarding the death of your mother, Christina. A meeting with her, whether planned or spontaneous, was always a treat. I still hear her laugh, which began low and then ascended, but remained soft and intelligent. The last time I saw her was at Clare Reidy’s funeral. Chris seemed content and had that sparkle, despite the occasion, as she told me a bit about her new life Pennsylvania.
    Just as her motherhood and teaching lives were rich and full, so, too, I see via her obituary, was her life with Stephen and with you two and your families. Travel, nature, and grandchildren bring delight, perspective, awe, love. With her new avocation, knitting. your smart, funny, perceptive, thoughtful mother leaves you tangible memories to cradle the others.
    With sympathy and affection,
    Donna Homuth (English teacher)

  • Dear Stephen and family,

    Our deepest sympathy on the passing of Christina. I had the pleasure of teaching with her for many years at Waverly High School. Both Elmira natives, we spent many a lunch hour discussing our love for the wilderness and our kayaking adventures. A wonderful colleague, who will be missed.

  • I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to Chris’s husband Steve Kistler, her sister Phyllis Kline, her brother Dennis Bupp, and her two sons, Dennis and Andrew Keck. Chris was my aunt and I am so sad that she met her end too early in life. I will always remember our family gatherings going back through the years and more recently, the wonderful Fourth of July parties that Chris and Steve hosted. It was always well attended and a tribute to Chris’s care and attention to her family and friends. May all those who knew and loved her cherish the time spent with her and give thanks to God for creating such a wonderful person. I will miss her and I know that her family and friends will as well. Rest in peace.

  • To the family of Chris Keck: Sorry to hear of your loss. Chris was a special lady who was always willing to give us her time and advice. She loved to share her travels, fun things she was upto and tidbits about her family. We will greatly miss her presence at our knitting group. May all of you find solace in her memories.

  • Steve,
    I am so sorry for your loss of not only Chris but also your father. I know what it’s like to lose your spouse, try to remember all of the good times. Donna

  • Steve,
    I was glad for you when you found love with Christina, and feel your loss with her early death.
    You will be in my prayers today.
    Bill

  • I’ll remember the joy that Chris had in exploring Acadia park, traveling with Steve, and her great pride in her sons, daughters-in-law and grandchildren. My condolences to the family for a life that was cut too short, but was packed with great experiences that touched many others.

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