On September 29, 2021, Christie Ann Whitman (Brown) passed away peacefully in her 79th year, surrounded by her loved ones after a long illness which she faced with courage and grace. Christie is survived by her husband and soulmate of 39 years William Whitman, her two children Douglas Macmillan (Lisa), Robin Macmillan (Andrew Keffer), her two adored granddaughters Molly Macmillan and Rowan Keffer, her brother Owen Brown (Mary) and her two nephews Gordon Brown (Kate) and Geoff Brown (Kayleen).
She is predeceased by her parents Bill and Joan Brown.
As an advocate for environmental preservation, Christie spent much of her life submersed in nature either living in it or fighting for it. The wilderness is where she found her peace, her sense of adventure and a connection to herself. Whether it was facing the thrilling challenges of paddling to places like James Bay and the North Shore of Lake Superior or the steady determination of hiking the gruelling West Coast Trail or enriching herself with the ways of Haida Gwaii or the adrenaline rush of shooting level III rapids on many wild rivers, it didn’t matter, she was at home.
Christie was a well educated woman with a BA from McMaster University, a BFA from York University and a Masters in Psychology from the Adler Institute in Chicago. She had a voracious appetite to read, learn, listen and grow as a human being and took a strong stand as a feminist.
She was an artist and a thinker.
She set goals for herself and saw them through. As a marathon runner she knew how to pace herself and get to the finish line. This approach helped her rise to positions in her career such as librarian at the Huronia Regional Centre, the opening and running of the Health Sciences Library at Soldiers Memorial Hospital, becoming President of the Ontario Association of Hospital Librarians, becoming Chair of the Board for the Orillia Public Library and opening her own
psychotherapy practice.
Christie grew up in Burlington, Ontario but after graduation she found her home in Orillia where she gained much love and respect in the company of incredibly kind, thoughtful, funny, deep and giving friends and colleagues. These people were drawn to her as they were all qualities that she herself possessed.
As “Grannie” to her two beautiful granddaughters, she took great joy in passing down old family traditions and watching them grow into incredible individuals.
She was a proud mother of Doug and Robin with whom she lovingly shared with Ian Macmillan.
Words can hardly express how much Christie will be missed but we will see her in every sunset, feel her in every soft breeze and hear her in every bird song.
She walked through this world centred and humble, curious and intuitive, courageous and kind, all with the love of her life Bill, solid by her side.She could have had none better to walk her to the edge of the river…In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to either Indspire, Soldiers Memorial Hospital in Orillia, Ontario or the Couchiching Conservancy where Christie once sat on the board.
There will be a visitation at the Mundell Funeral Home 79 West St. N., Orillia, Ontario on Saturday, October 16, 2021 from 11am - 2pm.
An informal gathering of stories and music will take place at Whit’s End after the visitation from 2:30 - 5pm (map will be handed out at Mundell’s). Although there will be access to the house we will try to keep most of the gathering outdoors due to Covid. Additionally, we are asking that anyone wishing to come to the Whit’s End gathering be double vaccinated against Covid.
Please dress accordingly for the weather.
Messages of condolence welcomed at www.mundellfuneralhome.com