Obituary of Christine Brigham Smith

Christine Brigham Smith August 14, 1922 - June 24, 2018 Resident of Santa Cruz Christine Brigham Smith, a 70-year Resident of Santa Cruz, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, June 24th, at the age of 95. Born in Clarksville, Arkansas, she moved to Santa Cruz with her parents at the age of 18. Christine met her husband, Ed "Smitty" Smith, the love of her life, and got married shortly before he was shipped overseas to fight in WWII. Following his military service, Smitty became an officer with the Santa Cruz Police Department. Christine and Ed moved to Reno in 1966 and enjoyed some of the happiest days of their lives. They returned to Santa Cruz in 1980 upon Ed's retirement from the University of Nevada Police Department. Fond family memories will be cherished of Christine volunteering as a "Coastwatcher." spotting for enemy planes during WW II. She was also the driving force behind an annual "girl's trip" to Reno that started with 2 or 3 "girls" to celebrate her birthdays. The final soiree eventually growing to as many as 10 or 12 "girls", consisting of family and friends who just loved being close to her. Christine was an avid San Francisco Giants and 49er's fan, and she loved animals. She almost always had either a cat or a dog to keep her company. Christine was a longtime member of the Church of Christ on Pacheco Avenue, and enjoyed the many friendships made along the way with her church family. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and JB Baker of Santa Cruz, her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Jean Smith of Saratoga; six beloved grandchildren: Caryn O'Neill, Mishelle Kiehl, Jay Baker, Daniel Landsberg, Mark Smith, and Miranda Baker, five great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews who cherished their 'Auntie Chris'. A brief graveside service will be held on Friday, July 6th at 1 PM at Santa Cruz Memorial Park. She will be laid to rest beside Ed, her husband of 41 years, who preceded her in death in 1983. Any kind acts of charity can be made in her memory to Hospice of Santa Cruz in appreciation of their loving care for Christine and many others.