MANEWELL, Christine 'Chris'

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our beloved mother, Christine Manewell passed away on July 31st, 2021 after her courageous fight with multiple myeloma.  Known to her friends and colleagues as Chris, she was a strong, determined woman who fought until the end as she had done her entire life. 
Born in Newcastle, England on May 26, 1944, she emigrated to Toronto with her parents, Geoff & Peg, and her siblings, Judith and John.   Always the adventurer, her love for travel started with a trip to Italy when she was 18 that broadened her perspective of the world.  She was curious, adventurous, athletic, enjoying ballet and working as a swim instructor & lifeguard at the local pool. That athletic spirit lead to her love of downhill skiing where she met her husband, David Manewell on the slopes in Collingwood. Eventually they settled in Barrie with their two children, Adam, and Andrea.  After her husband’s sudden passing in 1981, she raised her children as a single mother. Employing her tenacity and strong will she shepherded her family through the challenge.  She was very organized and constantly striving for life to be better for her children. She taught us the value of a job well done and worked hard to provide for us through several roles.  She had long term positions at the Toronto Dominion Bank, and eventually with Melchoir Management which she later retired from. 
Mom believed in preserving community, and in her years following retirement she advocated for the preservation of historic neighborhoods in Barrie.  As a proud member of Barrie’s Historic neighborhoods committee and later the Barrie Heritage Committee she wanted to preserve the neighborhoods she fell in love with 45 years ago for her grandchildren’s generation. 
She felt that it was important to care for the outdoor beauty and loved visiting national parks and open spaces wherever she travelled.  At home she replicated what she saw in those parks and spaces, creating a backyard garden oasis. She would spend hours working to make it just right, or simply relaxing and watching the birds come and go at the feeder as she chased greedy squirrels away.
Her family was her foundation. Her siblings were an important part of her life and she enjoyed spending time with them often. She shared many great adventures and travels with her brother John and wife Elaine.  As Nana to Spencer, Lincoln, and Kinsley she loved to spend time having tea parties or getting down on the floor playing any game… you name it she was up for it.  Taking her grandkids to see the trains up close, down to the fire hall to look at the trucks, or to the park to feed the ducks this brought joy to her daily life.  
Connecting her grandkids to the beach and ocean was sacred to her having grown up on the North Sea of England in her early years.  Saltwater ran through her veins, and any opportunity to walk on the beach or play in the tidepools with her grandkids were, by far, her most treasured moments.  In her final days she was able to take one last trip to dip her toes in the Atlantic Ocean.  With her family surrounding her, her life had come full circle as she walked on the beach peacefully smelling the salt air, feeling the cool sea breeze and reflecting on a life well lived.
 She is survived by daughter Andrea & husband Brent, son Adam & wife Erika, and grandkids Spencer, Lincoln, and Kinsley.  We miss you Mom!
A Celebration of life is planned for Saturday August 14th at Sunnidale Arboretum at 1pm (bring a lawn chair, light refreshments to follow).  Due to Covid restrictions RESTROOMS are UNAVAILABLE at Sunnidale park currently- please plan accordingly.  In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice Simcoe, RVH Foundation-Cancer Center, or a charity of your choice.