Christine Patricia Straker
1949 – 2025
Christine Patricia Straker
Chris Straker passed away peacefully at home in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, as she succumbed to pancreatic cancer. She is survived by her loving husband, William C Congdon, Jr., with whom she shared 53 years of her life. She also leaves behind her son, William Laurence Straker Congdon; daughter in law, Theresa Christine Congdon (Daumit); and two grandchildren, Raelyn Elizabeth Congdon and William Joseph Congdon, as well as a plethora of friends and other relatives.
Chris was born in Seattle at Providence Hospital and raised in Spokane, attending Whittier Elementary and graduating from Holy Names Academy. She moved to Seattle in 1967 to attend the University of Washington, earning her degree in Sociology. She and her husband, Bill, acquired acreage and built their forever home on “Ring Hill” in Woodinville in the early 70’s, when that area was still country. They raised their son in that house they so lovingly built by hand and hard work together.
Chris loved music (playing guitar, ukulele, and piano) and sports (tennis, pickle ball). She was also fond of sailing on the waters of Puget Sound, skiing on the slopes of Mount Hood, and swimming in the lakes of Washington and Idaho, as well as the warm waters off the coast of Maui. An avid reader, film goer, traveler, bridge and pinochle player, Chris lived life to the fullest. Instead of using her degree in Sociology, she chose employment that allowed her maximum time to explore her many outside interests. She worked for 30 years as a postal carrier in Bellevue, annually and pointedly reminding friends that it really was not necessary to send Christmas cards! She also loved animals, raising and boarding horses, caring for a lifetime’s worth of dogs and cats, and volunteering twice a week at the local animal shelter.
Chris and Bill’s home was always open to family and a diverse and eclectic community of friends. They hosted annual pig roasts, New Year gatherings, and everything from baby showers to retirement parties. Chris was a “best friend” to so many – unflinchingly loyal through good times as well as bad times. If anyone ever needed help, Chris and Bill were the first responders.
Chris was pre-deceased by her mother, Louise, in 1970; her brother, Mark, in 1994; and her father Laurence, in 2004. Chris asked that friends who wish to offer remembrances do so by giving to a charity, a program, or perhaps a person in need that means the most to them. A Celebration of Life will be planned at a later date. Our world is better because Chris was in it, and her legacy of kindness will live on forever in all who knew her.
One Response to “Christine Patricia Straker”
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Chris was one of those people who made everyone around her feel relaxed and comforted. No matter what stressful event was taking place in my life, I’d always feel better after talking with Chris. Even in her last few weeks, she was the one comforting us, telling us that she’d had the best life and that she felt she had done and said all that she needed in her life and that she loved us.
She was gentle and kind right up until her last day. She never snapped at anyone or became frustrated that this was happening to her but always said and did anything that would make things easier on everyone else. She handled her cancer with such grace and wisdom.
The world is a much better place because she was in it. A girl couldn’t have asked for a better mother-in-law. I remember how nervous I was to meet my (then) boyfriend’s parents and that day she opened the door she gave me a huge hug and I knew this was a special family and that I was very lucky.
We will always love you Chris.
Theresa Congdon