Christine Amini

Beloved sister, aunt, stepmother, step grandmother, and friend, Christine Amini, transitioned on January 22, 2023 at Denver Hospice. She was born on May 4, 1950 in Kansas City, Kansas to Hannah (Roberts) and Sohrab Amini. She joined a brother, Gordon, and was followed by 4 sisters, Nancy, Margaret, Katherine and Carol. From an early age, Chris took on the care, encouragement and protection of her siblings, which continued until the end of her life on earth. Many other lucky recipients of her kindness and generosity were added over the years. She had a sincere interest in others, even those whom she might never meet again, that drew people to her and made them her treasured friends. One of her nieces recently described Chris as “a virtuoso of people.” Her love and caring extended to all animals and to nature. She was a devoted dog lover, donkey adopter, tree hugger and mountain hiker. She supported progressive causes and the rights of women and Native Americans. She could often be found, exploring the streets of Santa Fe, admiring, and usually buying, the work of various Native American artists.

Chris became an elementary school teacher after graduating from the University of Evansville, Indiana and, after several years of teaching, earned a Masters Degree in Special Education from Indiana University. Her years spent teaching Special Education in Lexington, KY, were graced by the many friendships she made in her profession and as a student at the University of Kentucky Law School. Chris focused on insurance law, and she practiced in Colorado until retiring to care for her parents and sister, Margaret.  She loved Colorado’s natural beauty and was an enthusiastic and serious hiker. She loved a “cranker” and left many a companion “in her dust.” Throughout her life, Chris was a musician and lover of music. She began as a young pianist, and beautiful music never lost its ability to bring her to tears. She loved Spanish piano music and Chopin and Rachmaninoff in particular. Recently, she became a dedicated fan of Ella Fitzgerald, playing her music while she read the news online every morning. Chris was also a poet and playwright in her younger days. No description of Chris would be complete without mentioning how she loved to read; non-fiction was her genre of choice, particularly world history of the years following WWI.

In July of 2020, Chris was diagnosed with 4th stage pancreatic cancer. This terrifying diagnosis set her on a quest to find a doctor who could help extend her life. She found oncologist Dr. Christopher Lieu, who told her, “Chris, we’re going to beat back this cancer.” She believed in him wholeheartedly and began chemotherapy with courage, good humor and hope. “Dr. Chris”, as she called him, became dear friend as well as skilled physician, treating her  for 2 ½ years. During that time, Dr. Chris encouraged her to live life to the fullest, something she probably would have done anyway! She made new friends and looked forward to her weekly meet ups with her stepson, Evan, and his family. Dr. Chris encouraged her to travel, and she reveled in her  time in Northern California’s redwood parks in July and October of 2022. When Chris became ill in November (she had lived virtually pain- free since diagnosis), Dr. Chris visited her hospital room every day and lifted her spirits. He remained involved in her care until the end.

Chris is survived by friends too numerous to mention, for whom her family is eternally grateful, siblings Gordon Amini (Candace), Nancy Amini, Katherine Hoff (Paul), and Carol Ashman (Will), nieces Allison Timberlake (Brian), Laura and Sam Schiro, Margaret and Holly Mariella, nephews Andrew and Evan Dus, Nick and Chris Ashman, stepsons Evan Ross (Maggie), and Dustin Ross (Janna), and step grandchildren, Ryah, Theo and Remy Ross. She is preceded in transition by her parents and treasured sister, Margaret Amini.

One of her nurses at Anschutz told Chris that she was “pure light.” May we all feel the warmth and presence of her pure light in our lives until we’re together again.