PORTLAND — Christine Mae (Olsen) Meeken left us on Sept. 17, 2011, with her family by her side. She was born on Feb. 28, 1929 in Augusta. She was predeceased by her parents, Francis and Jessie Olsen.
Christine moved to Portland and upon graduation from Deering High School in 1947, she was employed by Maine Medical Hospital as a lab technician. In 1951 she married Robert W. Meeken in Portland and later moved to Melrose, Mass. Robert was employed by M.I.T. Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Mass. as an engineer and they then moved to Wakefield, Mass., where together they raised three children. While raising a family Cris participated in numerous activities including the Toastmistress organization, church events, and she became a member of the Wakefield police force as a school crossing guard. In 1972 Robert’s work took them to the South Pacific for two separate two-year periods. They spent a total of four years on the island of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands. During this time they were able to visit Hawaii, Guam and Saipan as well as a number of other small islands.
Upon retirement they moved to Bridgton, Maine. Here they were able to continue to pursue their passion for downhill skiing and they spent many days with family and friends on the slopes of Pleasant Mtn., now known as Shawnee Peak. Christine enjoyed being active and always seemed to be on the go. In addition to skiing she enjoyed boating and traveling the world. Robert and Cris took numerous trips to experience much of Europe, Scandinavia, South America, Canada and the American West. Much time and effort was spent by both Bob and Chris helping the Harvest Hills Animal Shelter in Fryeburg, where they were able to help make the shelter a better facility for the volunteers and the animals as well. Christine cherished spending time with family and friends. Christine was the “activities coordinator” at many social and family events and had a great desire to ensure that everyone had a great time. Cris’s favorite way to spend time was shopping for bargains and visiting her favorite place on this earth… Prince Edward Island, Canada.
Bob and Cris eventually moved back to Portland in 2008, taking up residence at 75 State Street. Here they enjoyed spending quality time
with each other and Bebe’, their adorable Pekinese. She is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, Robert W. Meeken of Portland, and her three children: Deborah Wright and husband Robert of Mechanicville, N.Y., Donald Meeken of Brownfield, and David Meeken and wife Kira of Loudon, N.H. She also leaves behind her brothers, Kenneth Olsen and wife Joan, and Gary Olsen and wife Diane.
She cherished all her family members: grandchildren Kevin and Kelly Wright, Christine and Jamie Aiello, Christopher and Lisa Meeken, Eric Meeken and Elizabeth, Aaron Meeken and Kelsey Meeken. Also her great-grandchildren: Anna, Christian, Lucas, Edie, Leah and Chase.
You will be dearly missed.
Visiting hours were held on Wednesday, Sept. 21, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Independent Death Care of Maine, 660 Brighton Avenue, Portland. A church service will be held today, the 22nd at 10 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 580 Forest Avenue, Portland. Interment will follow at
Pine Grove Cemetery in Falmouth. A reception for family and friends will be held at 75 State Street in Portland after the burial.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Gosnell Hospice House in Scarborough or Harvest Hills Animal shelter in Fryeburg. To offer words of condolence and share memories of Cris with the family, please go to the obituary page at www.independentdeathcare.com