Cordelia “Dee” A. (Auberg) Christensen, 82, formerly of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Hamilton, North Hampton, NH and Melrose, died peacefully from dementia complications on Friday, August 23, at Sawtelle Family Hospice House in Reading. Born in Santa Monica, CA, she was the daughter of the late Donald and Marion (Baldridge) Auberg and the wife of the late Richard R. Christensen.
Dee grew up outside of Chicago, graduating from Downers Grove High School in 1960, attending North Central College for several years, and living and working in Chicago during her 20s. Richard lived only blocks away in Chicago, but they met at a sailing school in the Bahamas.
Sailing was a constant in Dee’s life. Her beloved Aunt Mary taught Dee to sail on Lake Geneva, WI inspiring a lifelong passion. She sailed the “Cordelia” with Richard on Lake Michigan and a Sunfish on Tower Lakes, IL, Higgins Lake, MI and off North Captiva, FL. Her final boat was “Wildflower,” a Rhodes 19 that she sailed out of Manchester-by-the-Sea. Dee loved taking friends and family for day sails out to Marblehead or around Misery Islands, as well as teaching others—for years, she led the ladies’ sailing program at the Manchester Yacht Club. She equally enjoyed a chatty debrief of the day’s sail with a gin and tonic on the dock.
Dee also had a passion for tennis. While she enjoyed competing (and winning), like sailing, tennis was primarily a means to stay active and enjoy her friends and meet new ones. At nearly every phase and activity of her life, Dee made lifelong friends.
She cherished her friends and family and jumped at the chance to bring people together. Like her mother and aunts, she was the glue of her family—hosting parties and gatherings, organizing events, and regularly keeping up with those both near and far. Sending handwritten letters was an annual Christmas tradition—Dee always wanted to stay connected. She was a founding member of the “Mothers of Sons,” a group of North Shore friends that gathered faithfully for decades to celebrate birthdays and the joys of raising boys.
Dee was a true green thumb. Tending to her plants and flowers provided much peace and joy. She also took great comfort walking the beach and could spend hours combing the shores of North Captiva (her Shangri-La) looking for the perfect seashell or sand dollar. Until the dementia advanced, Dee was devoted to her grandchildren and would spend as much time with them as their parents would allow (often spoiling them in the process). Grandma Dee was always up for a new adventure, a game of hide and seek, or a trip to the Beach Plum for ice cream. At her core, Dee was a woman of deep faith, quietly following God throughout her life. She was an active and devoted church member who regularly studied the Bible with other women. Her faith shined brightest caring and sacrificing for her family. For years, Dee cared for Richard after he had a stroke and suffered through ALS. In many ways, she embodied the fruits of the Spirit.
Her family will miss her deeply, especially her joyful and warm spirit.
Dee is survived by three sons, David Christensen and his wife, Kelly, of Melrose, Peter Christensen and his wife, Lindsay Barber, of Wisconsin, and James Christensen of Thailand; one daughter, Deborah Christensen and her husband, Anthony Hale, of Georgia; two brothers, Robert Auberg (wife Gail) of Virginia, and John Scott Auberg (wife Teri) of Illinois; one sister, Sandra Strein (husband Bill) of New York; and seven grandchildren, William and Peter Shay of Georgia; Samantha and Margaret Christensen of Wisconsin; and Tatum, Evangeline, and Charlotte Christensen of Melrose.
In addition to her parents and husband, Dee is predeceased by her son, Douglas Christensen, and sister, Annette Auberg.
Her funeral service will be at the First Congregational Church, 624 Bay Road, South Hamilton on Saturday, August 31 at 10:30am. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Burial will be at Hamilton Cemetery. Contributions may be made in Dee’s memory to the Sawtelle Family Hospice House or the Alzheimer’s Association. Arrangements by Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot Street, Beverly. Information, directions, condolences at www.campbellfuneral.com.
