| Memories of Chris from friends and relatives
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Name: Bob Allen City: Westfield Sent: 20-Mar-2006 01:15 AM Jason, Chris' passing has left a continuing sad void in our training sessions on Littleville Resevoir and Elwell. Marathon canoe racing has many satisfying attributes, and one of the best is training with paddling friends because of the nice feeling of camaradarie and closeness with friends who share the same passion for our sport. For years, I have gotten as much value and fun out of this training as I do the actual races, and Chris was one of the main characters in these sessions. Great sense of humor, great competitor, and a great person. For the remainder of the paddling year, all of us continually made comments about that void in our lives that her absense created so markedly in our training sessions. Occasional comments were made that we were assuming she would show-up at any minute. Her absense is still surreal and deeply felt by all of us. My fondest memory of Chris is the Electric City Race in 2004, where Nick Lyesiuk and I were looking for a way to show the world we were really hot stuff. Chris teamed up with Jim Roberts (one of her best fans), and Nick and I naturally just assumed we would leave them in the dust. After our initial testosterone sprint off the line, Chris and Jim eased up on our left and actually started to get by! Well, we found just enough leftover testosterone to drop them again. Wouldn't you know, they overachieved again and began to pass. Chris was in the stern, and was whipping orders at Jim, who obeyed without question. Nick and I were out of testoserone at this point........me anyway.......Nick would never admit to that. Dang if they didn't catch us again and actually get by us! We passed "pleasentries" back and forth, and Nick and I were just barely able to out-sprint Chris and Jim at the finish line. They were gaining on us at the line, and I distinctly remember I had nothing left. I am absolutely certain they would have beaten us if the race had been 1 min. longer.
Chris was a great gal, and still is in the minds of all of us who knew her. She will be in our memories during our training sessions and races til the end of our times.
Name: caroline (oudin) martin City: coral springs, fl Sent: 02-Nov-2005 07:20 AM I didn't spend much time with chris, but in that short time, I learned she was strong and clear and true. I respect her a great deal and will never forget her. Name: Amy Laprade City: southampton Sent: 28-Sep-2005 09:30 AM I have known Chris and John pretty much my whole life. John is my fathers brother and has been with Chris as long as I can remember. My first memories of Chris were from the 70's, riding in their car to go see houses my uncle John built and playing with Jason, we lost touch for a while, but we were brought back together after my aunt (John's sister) passed. Ever since then we remained close. I can't say enough about Chris. I felt proud to know her, I have never met anyone quite like her. I feel so blessed to have been able to be a part of her life. I used to go over and give them both massages, after we finished we would share some wine and have nice talks. I really miss those times, but I can honestly say, I never took them for granted. Recently we all went to Seattle for my Uncle's wedding, we all had fun, but there was something huge missing. I do know Chris would be happy to know that we were all together, happy that we are all closer to John, Jason and Matt.
I guess I am looking for something positive to have come out of such a sad thing. Chris was someone
we all wish we could strive to be more like. We were lucky to have her with us as long as we did.
Name: Abby Kingman City: Goshen MA Sent: 18-Aug-2005 09:06 PM Chris was one of the first people I met when I started in marathon canoe racing. I went to a race in Northfield by myself in a heavy old C-1 and I was brand new at it and I hardly knew anybody, but Chris came over and was very friendly to me right away. I just remember that so well, how I thought it was so nice that one of the really good paddlers made an effort to be friendly. Over the years I saw that openness again and again in Chris, and it was not ever a forced effort, it was just the way she was. I was so lucky to have had the privelege of racing a few times with Chris, and our race at the nationals in Hanover is one of my favorite memories of any nationals. I also have fond memories of some of the long 4 and 5 hour paddles we did together, and how we could just yak and paddle, or paddle and yak, or just paddle and not yak - she was just easy company all the time. Now I think of Chris unexpectedly at times and places that I associate with her in some way, and she is always laughing or smiling in my mind's eye. I, too, have a hard time adjusting to the past tense, as in some ways she is still here with us. I like to think that she always will be. Name: Charlie and Marcia Bruno City: Saylorsburg, Pa Sent: 16-Aug-2005 08:20 PM To John, family and all of you close to Chris, our sincere condolencies. Chris was special. As her passing will leave an enourmous gap in your lives, it will also leave a gap in NECRA & USCA. It certainly isn't just the canoe racing that brungs us together, but also the great company of people like her. Name: Wendy Brewer Dellert City: Belchertown Sent: 15-Aug-2005 01:00 PM Chris was family to me; I have known her since I can remember. She and John have always been in my life, through the years as I grew up I admired Chris increasingly. She was such an amazing person, so kind, so caring, and so special in many ways. I can still recall the house in Cumming ton, Chris had such long blond hair and John was such a contrast with his burly beard and dark hair. Something that sticks in my mind from that time was a song Bye, Bye, Miss American Pie I recall Chris singing or perhaps just moving her mouth to the words, and the song has always reminded me of her. Chris and John visited me more often than anyone when I moved to Hawaii. It was always like having my family there, which is what they were to me. I have always admired Chris so much, sometimes I felt almost intimidated by her life force, She, John, Jason and Matt took on an almost mythical place in my mind. So strong, talented, just amazing people, somehow I felt special just to be in their presence. Chris and John flew all the way to Lake Tahoe to be part of my wedding; it was so special to have them there that day. I miss Chris dearly every moment and my love and thoughts are with those who were closest to her. They are family to me all of them and like Chris I probably never told them how much I care for them. I love all of you and share your sorrow. Chris has had a part in the woman I am today. I will always carry some of her with me, as I know so many others will. Name: Lea Ahlen City: Westhampton Sent: 02-Aug-2005 09:56 AM Chris was someone I truly admired. I was always amazed at her incredible energy, her intelligence, her accomplishments, her good humor, how good a friend she was to those who knew her well, how very good she was at anything she tried. She had great instincts and insights. She was always ready to help out. She was above idle gossip and unkind comments and didnt make harsh judgments of people. I never heard anyone say anything even remotely unkind about Chris. She lived her life well. She was strong mentally and physically. I knew at some level that she struggled with an inner darkness, but I never really saw it. All the times I spent with Chris were good ones happy ones Jim and I bringing ice cream over to her and John after supper, going out to dinner, taking in a movie, eating together at our annual Josh Billings dinner, John and Chris and Jason sharing our Christmas Eve smorgasbord, hanging out at the Clinton, playing the horses on Travers Day at Saratoga, partying at their Super Bowl bash. I know that Jim has even more memories of time spent with John and Chris - training and in Florida and at nationals. Chris was Jims best buddy. I treasured that friendship she made him a better person. He misses her terribly every day as we all do. And every day we wish John and Jason peace. Chris will stay in our hearts and memories always. She was awesome. Name: Tim Allen City: Florence, MA Sent: 30-Jul-2005 09:53 PM Chris is someone to be admired. I spent many days out on Littleville Reservoir practicing with my father, and Chris was often there - always with a smile on her face and nothing but kind words (well - there were often many sarcastic words - but they were all in good fun!). Although I regretfully never raced with her, I had many opportunities to race against her, and like Tom, have some fond memories of striving to keep up with her in a C1 (and seldom keeping up with her and John in a C2!). It was not until her memorial service that I began to learn more about how wonderful and amazing she was in life as well as in canoeing. I speak of Chris's affect on my life in the present tense. She is someone that I admire for her calming, fun-loving nature and incredible strength and determination. Chris - you stay in my mind and in my heart even more than ever now, and you continue to make me a better person for having known you. Name: Chuck & Sue Bolesh City: Canton NY Sent: 28-Jul-2005 05:40 AM We were fortunate to get to know Chris and John on a three week rafting trip in the Grand Canyon in the fall of 2002. Some memories and pictures of Chris during that time are at http://www.slvpaddlers.org/HTML/hchrisschmidt.htm Chris and John also raced in our local marathon canoe race several times. Her strength and winning smile were an inspiration to all of us. Her memory will be with us forever. Name: Joanna Cain City: Wilmington, NC Sent: 18-Jul-2005 06:08 PM I will never forget the first time I met Chris. She was running with Buster in our neighborhood and I was playing with my chocolate lab, Walter, in a nearby creek. Walter and Buster immediately took to one another, and Chris and I began chatting. Ever since then, I have remained in awe of Chris. Being 20 years her junior, I have marveled at Chris's physical talents and fierce independence. I still wish to be like Chris when I grow up. I will be forever grateful for Chris's sympathetic ear and sturdy shoulder she shared with me during some difficult times I experienced while living in Massachusetts. I think back to the times that my husband, Matt, and I watched Chris and John's house while they were away. The bird feeders, vegetable garden, old barn, plethora of house plants and hand thrown pottery, boating trophies and plaques everywhere, all personified Chris. Natural. Natural and beautiful. That is what Chris is to me. My heartfelt prayers and best wishes are with Jason and John. Name: Matt Willis City: Wilmington, NC Sent: 18-Jul-2005 11:00 AM We met Chris while living in Southampton. She really made life so much better and easier for us. She would always take our dog (Walter) with her and Buster for their adventures through the woods and let him stay over when we were out of town. She also encouraged me back to boat racing after a long absence. I am still in shock after reading of her death. We miss her and our thoughts and prayers are with John and Jason. Name: Sue Slowick City: Westhampton, MA Sent: 18-Jul-2005 07:34 AM I first met Chris in July of 1996. I knew she was a really cool person when she invited me to her and Johns wedding the second time I met her! Maybe she knew something that I didnt at the time about what a great friendship we were embarking upon. Chris and paddling will always be intertwined in my mind. We spent countless hours on the water, including doing 15 races together. We always talked about how a bad day at work can instantly be transformed into a great day once you got in your boat. (I think we both loved to talk even more than paddle!) And we both loved to swim at the powerlines on the Connecticut River in Hatfield. Our favorite joke was to see who could hold off the longest before one of us could no longer stand it and would launch off into a discussion of what we wanted to eat for dinner! The memories are just too vast to share, but they are all held close in my heart. Chris, I will forever miss you. Name: Tom Warner City: Westmoreland, NH Sent: 11-Jul-2005 07:37 AM Chris is maybe the only person I have known that I can say all my experiences with her have been positive. John, Chris, Matt, Johnny Mathieu and myself hung out in Thailand together and had a blast..often all of us piling into a taxi or Tuk-Tuk (three wheeled pickup with bench seats). I remember walking along the seedy streets of Bangkok with Chris and having all the street hawkers trying to lure us in telling her how wed enjoy the shows.. we had a lot of laughs.. we emailed Jen Caldwell from an internet cafe in Bangkok using my email account and Chris told Jen how much fun she was having dragon boat racing and touring the temples. Chris, Jen, Sue Morris and I emailed each other back and forth a bit and somehow I got an email from Chris intended for Jen. It was like reading an episode of Sex in the City. We had many laughs over that one. As I explained before, my first C-1 race at the New Englands at my house consisted of me trying to stay with Chris (she wasnt in Championship shape at the point!). I did (barely) and we paddled the race side by side..chatting about the course... and finished together. I dragged John out the other night to a bar to watch the Red Sox and hear a local band and we shared memories of Chris. all loving memories. Not much else one can say... Tom Warner Name: Larry Liquori City: Kings Park, NY Sent: 10-Jul-2005 07:09 AM I did not know Chris as well as many other paddlers, but that never seemed to be a reason for Chris to be any less friendly to me. She always said hello to me when she saw me at canoe events. In fact, the first time we ever spoke was at a race. We were hurrying past each other in the staging area and as we passed our eyes met. Without any hesitation she said a warm hello, not knowing exactly who I was but having seen me at many other events. She didn't wait for me to say something first, she just smiled and said hello. To me, that was the essence of the Chris that I knew. We will all miss Chris as competitors as well as caring people. I honestly feel that we are all spiritual beings living temporarily in a physical existence, and that we will all have a chance to see Chris again when we return to our spiritual existences. Perhaps then we will be able to learn what sad and terrible forces led Chris to her end. In the menatime, if we can gain anything from this let it be this: let us all celebrate each other and let each oterh know that we appreciate them and love them and that we will always be here for them. God be with you Chris. If you knew Chris, we'd like to hear from you. Use the form below to post your comments to this page. Thanks, Jason and John |