Obituary for Christie Burgess
Christie MacMillan Burgess was born July 25, 1943 in Glendale, California to her adoptive parents Donald and Bernice MacMillan; and died October 13, 2021.
Christie attended schools in southern California and graduated from Ventura high school. She married the love of her life; Billy Melton Burgess; in 1964 in Las Vegas, Nevada and they lived in various California locations before falling in love with the Columbia River Gorge and relocating their family to Parkdale, Oregon in 1976.
Christie has a large family who loved her: her husband Billy Melton Burgess who preceded her in death; sister Janet Nastasi; brother Doug MacMillan; three daughters Jerilyn, Kai and Kelly; grandsons Jeremy, Charlie and JJ; granddaughters Jenny, Ashley, Christie, Aimee, and Alexandra; great grandchildren: Taylor, Abigail, Marley, Loyal, Joslynn, Briley, Ashdon, Jaydon, Kaidence, Joel, Lola, Penn, Amber and Ari; along with her chosen family Mary, Terry, Cindy, Karen, Linda, Leslie, Pam, and Brett. Sadly, daughter Kelly and grandson JJ preceded her in death as well.
In her early days in the Gorge; while raising children Christie became an artist and potter; owning local artisan Gallery “The Cellar Door” in The Dalles, Oregon in the 1970’s.
In 1985; Christie became a real estate broker; selling homes with Don Nunamaker Realtors for over 20 years. During this time Christie and Bill became avid golfers and could be seen most days in their personal golf cart at HR Country Club.
Christie was involved in many civic and charitable organizations over the years; including Columbia Gorge CASA; the Columbia Center for the Arts; and Oxford Houses of Oregon; winning the Tom Dargan award in 1991 for improvements in alcohol and drug services for citizens of Oregon. She helped produce the music festival Apple Jam and many local theater productions with C.A.S.T. Christie was also a Master Gardner; and spent her retirement ‘playing in the dirt’ as she called it.
A Celebration of Life is planned for October 30, 2021 at Riverside Church; 317 State St. Hood River at 1pm.
In lieu of flower charitable donations in her name can be made to Columbia Gorge Casa or the Columbia Center for the Arts.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.
Christie attended schools in southern California and graduated from Ventura high school. She married the love of her life; Billy Melton Burgess; in 1964 in Las Vegas, Nevada and they lived in various California locations before falling in love with the Columbia River Gorge and relocating their family to Parkdale, Oregon in 1976.
Christie has a large family who loved her: her husband Billy Melton Burgess who preceded her in death; sister Janet Nastasi; brother Doug MacMillan; three daughters Jerilyn, Kai and Kelly; grandsons Jeremy, Charlie and JJ; granddaughters Jenny, Ashley, Christie, Aimee, and Alexandra; great grandchildren: Taylor, Abigail, Marley, Loyal, Joslynn, Briley, Ashdon, Jaydon, Kaidence, Joel, Lola, Penn, Amber and Ari; along with her chosen family Mary, Terry, Cindy, Karen, Linda, Leslie, Pam, and Brett. Sadly, daughter Kelly and grandson JJ preceded her in death as well.
In her early days in the Gorge; while raising children Christie became an artist and potter; owning local artisan Gallery “The Cellar Door” in The Dalles, Oregon in the 1970’s.
In 1985; Christie became a real estate broker; selling homes with Don Nunamaker Realtors for over 20 years. During this time Christie and Bill became avid golfers and could be seen most days in their personal golf cart at HR Country Club.
Christie was involved in many civic and charitable organizations over the years; including Columbia Gorge CASA; the Columbia Center for the Arts; and Oxford Houses of Oregon; winning the Tom Dargan award in 1991 for improvements in alcohol and drug services for citizens of Oregon. She helped produce the music festival Apple Jam and many local theater productions with C.A.S.T. Christie was also a Master Gardner; and spent her retirement ‘playing in the dirt’ as she called it.
A Celebration of Life is planned for October 30, 2021 at Riverside Church; 317 State St. Hood River at 1pm.
In lieu of flower charitable donations in her name can be made to Columbia Gorge Casa or the Columbia Center for the Arts.
Arrangements are under the direction of Anderson's Tribute Center (Funerals • Receptions • Cremations) 1401 Belmont Avenue, Hood River, Oregon 97031.
Visit www.AndersonsTributeCenter.com to leave a note of condolence for the family.