With a completely broken heart, I am writing this.

Last night, while driving by Christine’s apartment, I saw an ambulance outside. Something told me to pull over. I ran up to the house and learned that Christine had passed away.

Christine was from Enfield and was known and loved by so many. Anyone who knew her knew how special she was. She loved to sit and chat with anyone who would listen, and we all know she could talk for hours. She was homeless for four years, living in her car, and was known by many as the lady in the car at Kohl’s. Her smile could brighten an entire room, and her laugh was truly like no other.

After years of hardship, we finally got Christine out of her car and into an apartment. That apartment was right down the road from me. I would drive by and look up at her window, hoping to see her sitting there, smoking her cigarette. It is going to be incredibly hard to pass that apartment now.

Christine and I checked in on each other often. Sometimes weeks would go by without talking, but when we did, it felt like no time had passed at all. I remember when I first met her. I would pull into the Kohl’s parking lot, sit next to her car, and we would talk for hours. I was never much of a talker, but I loved listening to her, even when my brain could not keep up.

There was a time when there was an accident near where she lived, and I ran down the street just to make sure she was okay. She mattered to me. She always did.

There were so many moments when I would say I had to leave, put my foot on the gas, and then she would say something else, and my foot would go right back to the brake. That would happen a few times before I finally left, even though I never wanted to. I knew she was lonely, and she just wanted someone to talk to. She shared her entire life with me, the good and the bad.

I will always regret the few times I missed her messages or forgot to respond. I never imagined there would come a day when I would not be able to hear her voice again.

Christine is survived by her children and loved ones. Her daughter has told me how often Christine talked about me and how much she adored me. I adored her even more.

I am creating this GoFundMe because I personally knew Christine, loved her, and want to help give her the dignity she deserves. I will give the funds to her daughters to do what they need to do with it.

Let us all come together to support her family, honor her life, and raise the money needed to give Christine the farewell she deserves.

This loss has shattered me to my core. I cannot believe I am writing this. Not another goodbye. Not another life gone.

Christine was deeply loved, and she will be missed by so many. I hope she is finally at peace and knows just how much she meant to all of us.

Please consider donating, sharing, and holding her family in your hearts.

Thank you for helping honor a woman who touched so many lives. ❤️