Christine Childree

Biography

In Memory of
Christine C. Childree

Christine C. Childree (Chris) passed away on June 12, 2014 as a result of a cardiac arrest. Chris was born on May 19, 1942 in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in Rocky River, Ohio. She graduated from Miami of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1964, and also received her Masters of Education at Miami of Ohio in 1964. Chris moved to Plantation, FL in 1975 and began working in 1977 for what later became Nova Southeastern University. She earned her Doctorate degree in Education from Nova University in 1981. Chris continued her work at Nova Southeastern University until her retirement at the end of 2000. Chris was Director of Academic Support Services at the time of her retirement. While living in Plantation she met Ron Childree and they were married on March 15, 1981. They experienced a wonderful working and social life in Plantation, but when they retired they decided to move to Key Largo, FL in December 2000, where Chris enjoyed boating on Florida Bay and looking at the Bay from her 3rd floor window at the Rock Harbor Club Condominium.
In 2003, Chris became a Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem in Monroe County where she was involved in helping neglected, abandoned, and abused children. She became Treasurer of Voices for Florida Keys Children, and in December 2005 was honored as the Florida Guardian Ad Litem of the year.
Their social life in the Keys revolved around the Rock Harbor Club Condominium, Islamorada Fishing Club, and the Florida Keys Outboard Club. She enjoyed it all.
Chris also enjoyed traveling, and she and Ron went to most of the United States and Canada, visited many countries in Europe including Russia, and also Vietnam, Thailand, Myanmar, South Africa and the Amazon River in Brazil. She found all of this wonderful and interesting.
Chris had three sons from a previous marriage: Dave Bruner of Herndon, VA; Todd Bruner of Jacksonville, FL; and Alan Bruner of Grand Canyon, AZ. She is survived by her husband Ron; all of her sons, and grandchildren: Steven and Gina Nicole Bruner of Herndon, VA, and Abby and Ryan Bruner of Jacksonville, FL. She also helped raise Ron's two children: Jill Miller of Grantville, KS, and Ronald Clifton Childree of Miami, FL. They survived her along with their children: Bobby and Hannah Miller, and Walden Wendell Childree.
A Celebration of Life ceremony and spreading of her ashes on Florida Bay is planned for later this summer for her relatives and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Voices for Florida Keys Children, or your favorite charity in memory of Chris Childree.
Memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 23, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Allen-Beyer Funeral Home, 101640 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL.