GILCHRIST, Christiane Jeanne Claire Marie Legier - April 6, 1931 - September 14, 2021
Beloved wife of the late Donald Hunter Gilchrist for almost 65 years, adored mother of Nancy Ann, Donald (Jeanne DesBrisay) and Jean, and greatly loved Mimsie to Charlotte and Anne Bell, and John, Sara, Kate and Meg Gilchrist.
Christiane was predeceased by brothers Dr. Jacques Legier and Michel Legier.
Christiane was born in Ostend to Dr. Leon Legier and Claire Legier. She lived under occupation for four years before Ostend was liberated by the Manitoba Dragoons in 1944. The lack of proper heating during that time explained her heating rooms to near tropical temperatures year-round. She never wanted to be cold again.
Christiane and Donald were married weeks after her 21st birthday and soon began their first post representing Canada in Washington D.C. During their first posting in Washington, Nancy Ann, Donald and Jean arrived.
With grandchildren arriving in rapid succession in Toronto, Donald and Christiane moved there in time for the birth of their sixth and final grandchild. Christiane, ever the host, entered a new phase of culinary satisfaction, replacing her Oranges Glacé with skittles and ice cream bars for her amazed grandchildren.
Her loving and enduring marriage to Donald, while not defining her, was the highlight of her life and his. Her children and grandchildren will all miss her beautiful smile, kindness and her grace.
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