Christine Rudelich Parkin “Teena”

Our cherished wife, mother, sister, auntie and friend passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of her family on December 27, at the age of 80 from the rare and rapid onset of Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (CJD).

Teena was the heart of our family, and she leaves behind her loving husband, Leslie (Al) Parkin. They were married for over 58 years. She was a wonderful mother to their three children: Christopher (Angie), Natalie Clements (David), and Amanda Rogers (Moses). She loved being a grandmother to her five grandchildren Andrew, Carter, Sophia, Avery and Edison. Christine is also survived by her three siblings (Lane Rudelich, Dana Guertin, and Jan Rudelich), and many loving nieces and nephews.

Teena was born September 10, 1944, to Mera and Anthony Rudelich. She grew up in Rose Park, Utah and was the eldest of four children. She graduated from West High School, class of 1962. She attended BYU and was a member of Lambda Delta Sigma. She went on to practice nursing at LDS hospital in obstetrics and orthopedics.

After taking time to raise her three young children, Christine returned to nursing where she had a fulfilling career devoted to those in need. Christine was one of the founding nurses of Project Reality Addiction Center. She also worked for decades in mental healthcare at Olympus View, Valley Mental Health, CTA and Clozaril Clinic.

In the early 80’s Al was on a special assignment with Chevron Oil and the family moved to Khartoum, Sudan where Christine raised their children for a few years. While there, she traveled extensively across Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa. Christine always said that her most memorable experience was spending Christmas and New Years in the Seychelles Islands off the coast of Madagascar. She also loved family trips and spending quality time together at the family cabin in Wyoming.

Teena positively adored all her standard poodles. She leaves behind her “spoos” Birdie and Marty. She has been reunited with her oodles of poodles: Dexter, Mibette, Cassie, Jag, Porsche and Gidget.

Teena enjoyed working with her hands. She loved baking, plus she made the best clam dip and spaghetti sauce ever! She enjoyed gardening, painting, card making, needlepoint, tarot reading, Broadway performances, and listening to music.

Our family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to the care providers at IMC, Paramount Heath, and Inspiration Hospice Care.  All treated Teena with respect, dignity, and grace.

We welcome adult and teen family members and friends to attend a celebration of Christine’s life held on Wednesday, January 8th from 6 PM to 8 PM at Starks Funeral Parlor, 3651 South 900 East, Salt Lake City, Utah. Please bring your joy and bright colors.

Christine will be laid to rest in a private ceremony for close family and friends at Elysian Gardens, 1075 East 4580 South, Salt Lake City, Utah on Thursday, January 9th at 11 AM.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the CJD Foundation in support of our family fundraising effort, and in loving memory of Christine R. Parkin by clicking the “Donate” button above.  We hope to help other impacted families and to further research into this rare disease.

To further remember Teena, do things that bring you and others joy: hang windchimes, blow bubbles, put out a bird feeder, rescue a pet, plant roses, make something beautiful, embrace the whimsical, and remember to be kind.

“Dull women have immaculate homes. And, honey, I’m a terrible housekeeper.”  — Sharon M. Peterson