January 5, 1950 - December 18, 2021
"Unable are the loved to die. For love is immortality."
- Emily Dickinson
Christine Louise Luke ('Christy' to everyone who knew and loved her) was born in Chicago, Illinois on January 5, 1950 to Marjorie (Lloyd) and Ellis Luke. She grew up in Barrington, Illinois with her older brother Greg and younger brother Marshall.
Christy traveled to England to earn her undergraduate degree in English at Durham University in 1972. She returned to America and gained her credentials in radio. Christy eventually moved to British Columbia in the late-1970s and earned her teaching degree from Simon Fraser University.
Christy first lived in Grand Forks, BC in the late-1970s and early-1980s. She moved to Victoria, BC to pursue a career in radio. While there she was instrumental in making Victoria a twin city with Khabarovsk in eastern Russia.
Christy was then hired by CBC and worked as a radio host in Prince Rupert, Kelowna (Daybreak South) and Charlottetown. While in PEI, she met Mike Elliott. Christy had always planned to move back to Grand Forks. In fact, she already owned a house there. Mike and Christy moved to Grand Forks in 1994 and soon became active members of the community.
The influence of Christy Luke can be seen all around the Kettle Valley. She helped establish the Grand Forks Community Trails Society which developed an extensive system of walking and hiking trails. She coordinated efforts to deck the old railway bridges from Grand Forks to Christina Lake (with help from the Canadian and British Armed Forces) as part of the Trans-Canada Trail. Christy was on the Art Gallery Board when they moved from their original location under the library to their present location in Gallery 2. She also contributed to the local arts scene as a long-time member of Rivers' Edge Theatre Company. She helped establish the Grand Forks Agricultural Society which created the Food Co-Op, the Community Gardens and the Learning Garden. Christy taught English at Selkirk College and developed literacy tutor programs as part of Literacy BC in the Kootenay/Boundary Region. It is fair to say Grand Forks and many of its citizens would not be the same without her energy, her determination and her absolute belief in everyone she met.
Christy died, age 71, at Kelowna General Hospital on December 18, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with Lupus (and related complications). She was predeceased by her brother Greg and her parents Marjorie and Ellis. Christy is survived by her husband Mike and her beloved step-son James Elliott as well as her cherished niece Kristen, her brother Marshall, his wife Shayne and their sons Dylan and Elliot Luke. She will be sorely missed by her family and her many friends both near and far.
A Celebration of Christy's life will be held when it is once again safe to travel and gather. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to JoeAnna's House (https://joeannashouse.com/) in memory of Christy Luke with Mike Elliott as the recipient (email: artisan@canoeshop.ca).