Services information listed below.

My name is Julie Cancio Harper, and I met Christina Burbano-Jeffrey the first day of school in the 7th grade. She sat in front of me in homeroom. She was friendly and welcoming - and a bit nerdy, just like me. I was the new girl, having changed schools twice in two years due to my parents’ divorce. I was happy to see her again later that day in orchestra. We both played violin. I did not know that she would grow to be a sister of my heart.

Not everyone is still in contact with their friends from childhood, but Christina made the effort to keep many of us close. By the time my husband finished film school in Boston, Christina, Jim, and Skylee were already living in Santa Clarita, California. She invited me to reach out if we planned to visit Los Angeles. When we made the trip and realized we’d be staying longer than the guest room of a distant family member was available, Christina and Jim took us in without hesitation.

We spent two months sleeping on their home recording studio floor in a double sleeping bag while we established ourselves and found an apartment. I don’t remember them ever asking us to hurry up and get the heck out. They integrated us into their daily life. It was unconditional love. Family.

Christina died September 8, 2026, in a multi-car collision on her way to work as a music professor at College of the Canyons. She was 50 years old and in the fullness of her creative powers, composing and recording new songs for her solo project Hypnagogic Hum. She and Jim celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary this summer. Her daughter is expecting her first child in December and Christina was very excited to be a grandma.

So many of us are bereft: her family, her friends, her students, her music colleagues and bandmates. The grief is unimaginable.

Since Jim and Christina lived and worked together 24/7 as equal partners, there is no part of his life that her loss does not touch. Many of us feel helpless in the face of this tragedy and want a way to send support. This fundraiser is an opportunity to lift some of the financial burden off Jim’s shoulders.

Funds go directly to support Jim Jeffrey as he begins navigating life without his soul mate. Donations of any size make a difference. And sharing this fundraiser expands the impact, whether or not you’re able to donate.

Christina leaves a legacy of joyfulness and caring whose ripples continue to spread. There has been so much love pouring out from her community in messages online and direct contacts behind the scenes. If you loved her, live as she lived: make time to care for others, show kindness, create whatever art inspires you to live fully, and share it.

Please feel welcome to leave messages and memories here. Christina had a rewarding life full of personal connections and her light connects us. We are not alone in healing from this grief. Our circle ever widens.

SERVICES

On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, services will be held at 12:00 pm (EDT):

Cornerstone Presbyterian Church (PCA)

471 Mathews Rd.

Boardman, OH 44512

https://cpcboardman.org/

Ohio livestream: https://youtube.com/live/uNdQm1g21vM?feature=share

After the service, the graveside visit will be optional, followed by the bereavement luncheon back at the church.

On Saturday, November 14, 2026, services will be held at 2:00 pm (PST):

Santa Clarita United Methodist Church

26640 Bouquet Canyon Road

Santa Clarita, CA 91350

https://www.scumc.org

California livestream: https://tinyurl.com/CMBJmusic