Janet C. Christie

Janet C. Christie of Fairfield, CT, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great­grandmother, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on August 16, 2025. Janet was the loving wife of Donald B. Christie with whom she shared over 70 years of marriage, a partnership marked by devotion, humor, and enduring love. She was born in Boston, MA on October 3, 1932, the daughter of Irving R. and Marjorie P. Carter. Janet attended Miss Thomas's School in Westport, CT and graduated from Vassar College in 1954 with a degree in Microbiology. It was here that she nurtured her lifelong love of science and learning.

Janet embarked on a career in cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in New York City. Once married, she continued doing research at Yale University in New Haven, CT until she began a family. As her children grew up, she worked as a hostess at her husband's Howard Johnson restaurant in Waterbury, CT and also at the Greenwich Workshop.

Always active and social, she enjoyed being with friends playing sports, whether on the tennis court, ski slopes, or golf course. She also loved her afternoons playing bridge or gathering for her weekly quilting group. Nothing gave her more pleasure than being surrounded by family and friends for the holidays and family events. She created a home filled with love, laughter, and belonging.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her three children, Douglas (Cynthia), Ted, and Libby Hibbs (David). She also leaves six grandchildren: Ian and Nina Christie, and Carter Finneran (Jimmy), Will Hibbs (Natalie), Allison Donnelly (Billy), and Margot Hibbs, and four great-grandchildren: Cullen, Etta, and Hayden Finneran, and Quinn Donnelly.

Janet will be remembered for her warmth, vitality, sharp wit, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. She leaves behind a legacy of resilience, kindness, honesty and joy that will continue to inspire all who knew her.

A celebration of Janet's life will be held at Greenfield Hill Congregational Church on Friday, September 12, at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Foundation Fighting Blindness. https://www.fightingblindness.org.