Obituary: Christine Estey

In 1971 Tim took Chris to see his family in Underwood, Wash. In 1972, they moved from Southern California to Underwood to begin a new life. Tim worked in the woods and helped his father on the family farm and Chris was busy with the arrival of their first son, Aaron, in the summer of 1973. A second son, Howard, arrived in the spring of 1976. While raising the two boys, Chris found time to work in White Salmon at Warneke’s clothing store. Chris volunteered as a teachers aid in the early 1980s at the Alliance Academy, a private Christian school that the boys attended in Hood River, Ore. Chris homeschooled the boys in the mid-1980s, while Tim was running his father’s farm.

The family moved to Hesperia, Calif., in 1986 for Tim’s work. While there, Chris was busy taking care of the house and getting the boys to school. She also worked at the newly opened Victor Valley Mall at the department stores Harris’ and Mervyns. She later went to work for Contel, the local phone company, as an operator. The family moved back to their home in Underwood in the late summer of 1987. In the fall of 1989, Tim, Chris and Howard moved to Kauai, Hawaii, for Tim’s work. They really enjoyed their short time living the island life. They again returned to their home in Underwood in January 1990. Chris worked various jobs over the next many years at such places as Skyline Hospital, PJ’s Restaurant and then many years at Klickitat Valley Bank before it became Columbia River Bank in White Salmon. Chris also worked at Cascade Central Credit Union in Hood River for a number of years before returning to Columbia River Bank at the Hood River Branch, where she retired from.

Chris enjoyed gardening and being outdoors. She took up Kayaking with her friend Kathy and traveled around the northwest, kayaking in various locations. Chris was able to make many trips to southern California to visit her family over the years and always enjoyed her time with her family visiting and catching up. Chris was always very involved with her family and was always there for Tim and the boys. The biggest event in Chris’s life was when she and Tim accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior in 1980. They are both strong believers and have always looked to God to guide them in raising their family. Over the years, they made many friends at the Hood River Alliance Church, First Baptist Church in Hood River, Shepherd of the Valley Bible Church in Hood River, the Bingen Baptist Church, Grace Baptist Church in White Salmon and the Evergreen Community Church in Mill A.

Chris left this world after a long and hard fight with cancer on May 29, 2024. She was surrounded by her family when she passed into the arms of Jesus. She leaves behind her husband Tim, son Aaron and his wife Araceli and granddaughter, Jennifer, as well as her son Howard. She also leaves behind four Brothers, Richard (Claudette), Louis (Mary Lou), Paul (Tami) and David (Yvette), and three sisters, Linda (Dave), Kathy (David), and Liz (Doug). She also leaves behind a very large immediate family of many cousins, nieces and nephews. Chris is loved and will be missed by many people that are blessed to have had her in their lives.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 11 a.m. at Grace Baptist Church in White Salmon. Memorial contributions can be made to Hope Medical Clinic in Hood River.