Christine Marie Strutt (née Sinclair)

Born ~ October 23, 1946

Date of Passing ~ April 16, 2026

Christine Marie Strutt (nee Sinclair), our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and friend, passed away peacefully at St. Joseph’s Residence in Winnipeg, Manitoba on April 16, 2026 following an unexpected stroke and complications from a years-long battle with an artificial joint infection.

Christine was born on October 23,1946 at St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg. Known also as “Marie”, she was raised in East Kildonan, attending St. Alphonsus School and St. Mary’s Academy. She went on to spend the majority of her adult life in North Kildonan, with many happy years on Edelweiss Crescent followed by time in her condo at Valhalla on the Red and then at Catherine Place Assisted Living. Christine is predeceased by her parents, Dorothy and Alexander Sinclair, and brother George Sinclair (Cathy). She is survived by her daughters, Suzanne Midford (Martin), Jennifer Strutt (David) and Michelle Strutt, sister Lynne O’Rourke (Terry), treasured granddaughters Alexandra and Jacqueline Midford and her former husband and faithful friend Tony Strutynski.

As anyone who spent more than five minutes chatting with her could attest, Christine's greatest source of pride was her daughters and granddaughters. After many busy years of shuttling both generations of girls between school and a wide range of extra-curriculars - play rehearsals, swimming, softball, curling and ringette games - all went on to complete university degrees and continued on to successful careers: Suzanne as a school principal, Jennifer and Michelle as IT professionals, Alexandra as a bookkeeper and Jacqueline as an athletic therapist.

With respect to her own career, Christine had a varied working life. She spent years in banking and then retail management, including positions as a store manager at “Michelle Jordan’s” bridal boutique and “Auntie Fanny’s” gifts and furniture. As her daughters grew up, Christine’s passion to contribute to others came to the fore as she became a Director on non-profit Boards, the Religious Education Coordinator at Holy Redeemer Parish, a Facilitator of social programs supporting the development of women, and the Manager of the “Spence Street Thrift Shop”.  In her retirement, Christine remained active as a Board Member at St. Boniface Diocesan High School, an Associate of the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary and a volunteer with the United Way, “Roots of Empathy” and “Free the Children”. She was always quick to share an idea, lend a hand - or step in and take charge! - fearlessly driven to improve how any organization or event could be run.

An enthusiastic traveller, Christine had wonderful opportunities to see more of the world than she ever imagined. Although family camping and Grand Forks shopping trips were plentiful both while her daughters were young and again while her granddaughters were young, it was when daughter Jennifer’s work brought her to become involved in the Olympic Games that Christine flew beyond North America for the first time to Sydney and Queensland in Australia. Later, Christine embarked on a dream tour of Europe that included visits to Turin, Assisi, Venice, Florence, Rome and Paris. With family in tow, she went on to drink her first margarita in Akumal, Mexico, and (walker notwithstanding) saw whales spouting near the Wild Pacific Trail on Vancouver Island. Christine’s intrepid “let’s go” attitude will be lovingly remembered by all those who knew her.

It would be hard to write about Christine without mentioning her love of genuine connections and the special people in her life. Christine took her roles with others very seriously, constantly pursuing knowledge of psychology and spirituality as a means to improve herself and her relationships. As “Mom”, she was a fiercely dedicated parent always championing her daughters’ needs, interests and ambitions. As “Gram”, she was an unbridled cheerleader and live-in confidante. She was a tenacious and loving sister and sister-in-law and a loyal “Auntie Chris” to nieces Shannon, Reagan and Tammy. Christine cherished her time with friends, including lifelong friend Judy and her husband Michael Lasko and with Diane, Cheryl, Jennifer and Ida - to name just a few. And, as a tireless supporter of young people, Christine gave hugs and presents and cards to many of the children and grandchildren of her friends, her daughters’ friends, and other young and not-so-young people that she met along the way.

Christine’s family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Pembina Place Personal Care Home and ActionMarguerite St. Joseph’s for their attentive care over the past two years, and especially to those who supported her during the last weeks of her life journey. A Celebration of Life will be held at FortWhyte Alive Buffalo Crossing Visitors Centre at 1:00pm on July 7, 2026. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Christine’s memory to the United Way.