GUILDERLAND. – Christine E. Van Etten, 60, passed away at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center on December 4, 2008. Chris, beloved daughter of Pauline (Court) and the late Robert L. Van Etten, was born in Catskill, N.Y. on August 26, 1948.

Chris grew up on the Van Etten Farm in Ravena. She was a 1966 graduate of Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School and a 1968 graduate of SUNY at Cobleskill where she majored in Computer Science.  She worked as a computer programmer for a few years before discovering her love of sales. Chris settled in Croton-on-Hudson where she lived for many years. She loved living, making good friends and selling business machines in Westchester County.

She leaves her mother Pauline of Ravena, sister Kim Mackay and her husband Bruce of Round Rock, TX, and three brothers, Robert P. Van Etten and his wife Shelly of Ravena, Charles Van Etten and his wife Debbie of Southwick, MA and Lee Van Etten and his wife Elaine of Ravena, six nieces, four nephews, six aunts, three uncles and many caring friends. She was predeceased by her beloved friend Robert Shugg.

It was Chris’ wish to make an anatomical gift of her body to the Albany Medical College. We are comforted in knowing that she is rejoicing in her heavenly body free from the constraints of disability. The Van Etten Family wishes to extend a special thank you to all who cared for Chris, especially the friends, staff, patients, and family members at the MS Society, Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, Community Hospice and The Wartburg.

Calling hours will be Friday, December 19 at Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. with a service to celebrate her life at 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. A private burial ceremony will be held at a later date at Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Paterson, N.J.

Memorial contributions may be made in her name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 421 New Karner Road, Suite 6, Albany, NY 12205, Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, 2 Mercycare Lane, Guilderland, NY 12084,  Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Road, Albany NY 12205 or The Wartburg Foundation, Wartburg Place, Mount Vernon. NY 10552