Christina Brouse

Officiating the Rev. Dr. Krisana Poontajak
Music by Tom Wagner and friends
The service will be followed by a committal service in the cemetery.

OBITUARY
Christina Brouse was a resident of West Chester, PA since 1979. She was born to Maurice Whitman Armstrong and Irene Macdonald in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada on February 25, 1937.

Chris is survived by her husband, James Brouse; her sons, David, Daniel and Timothy; her grandchildren Christopher, Danielle, Alexander, Adelina, Zoe, Summer and Jack; and her sister, Ainslie Armstrong McLees.

After graduating from Haverford Township High School, Christina earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Ursinus College in Collegeville, PA. In addition, she completed graduate courses from Clarion, Penn State and West Chester Universities.

She was a program director of the YMCA in Ardmore and Roxborough before becoming a secondary English and social studies teacher for 27 years in Clearfield, Pottsgrove and several other Pennsylvania school districts. Chris was a Republican committee woman and member of the Westminster Presbyterian Church.

Christina was well known for teaching arts and crafts. She was a fine artist of oil paintings and water colors. In addition, Chris was an avid supporter of flora and fauna raising a wide variety of plants and animals.

PICTURES

ART

HISTORY
Christina's father was Maurice Whitman Armstrong. Maurice was a Protestant minister and earned his PhD by authoring the book "The Great Awakening in Nova Scotia 1776-1809". He retired as a history professor from Ursinus College. Ministering and religious publishing are prevalent in Chris's family tree and includes Apostle John Eliot (published the first Bible in North America after gaining permission from the King of England.) Maurice's middle name came from the family name that included Walt Whitman.

Christina's great, great grandfather was Captain Samuel Bancroft Davis of the clipper ship the Arlington. Captain Davis became famous for having a vision, changing course, and saving a sinking ship on Christmas Eve. Chris reads from two Canadian history books about the event:
Captain Davis Version 1 MP3
Captain Davis Version 2 MP3

The Armstrongs received their coat of arms by moving Birnam Wood upon the castle to avenge King Duncan’s death (as told by Shakespeare in Macbeth.)

Christina's mother was Irene Macdonald. The Macdonalds are of the original Scottish clan Clanranald. King Ranald's successor was Donald. The Donald ruled Scotland around the year 1200. Clan Donald is the original name of the Macdonalds.

Contact: help@membrane.com

MEMORIES

"She was always very supportive of people. Really built people up to be what they wanted." -- Christopher Brouse

"Mom was the best teacher and advocate of art and science. She mentored me in my pursuit of writing, music, painting, drawing, calligraphy, astronomy, meteorology, geology, botany and philosophy (to name a few.) There is joy in knowing how many thousands of people she touched through teaching." -- Daniel Brouse

"When I think of my sister, Chrissie, I remember how she used to make me fairy skirts out of crepe paper when I was little, and how we used to look for fairy houses of moss in the woods behind the White Cottage and Monkey Cage on Kennebecasus Island (oil paintings of the woods and photo of Kennebecasus by Christina). As an adult I admired her highly creative & interdisciplinary m.s. English lesson plans which, long before multi-sensory education was in fashion, blending song ("Strawberry Fields" by the Beatles!) art and poetry in a perfectly woven unit. Her patience with and understanding of middleschoolers always amazed me. I miss so much being able to call her to tell her about a funny classroom occurrence in my own classroom. She will always remain an inspiration to me." -- Ainslie Armstrong McLees

"She is one of the kindest people I've known. She showed me love like I was a daughter. And, her steadfast resolve through adversities faced through the years has been a powerful role model for me." -- Laura Vye Wright

"I picked up this pretty stone for you when Ray and I went to Mr. Frank's beach (Kennebecasus Island). Pat and I sometimes talk about the fun we had years ago... you and I would take a peanut butter and jam sandwich and head into the woods -- no path to follow -- just having an adventure. I love you Chris, my little fairy sister." -- Peggy Nadeau

"Sorry to read the passing of Chris in the September 27th issue of The Progress. Still have many fond memories of the Y days. You have our deepest sympathy." -- Bill & Jeannie Shaw

"Chris & Jim were our neighbors in Clearfield for many years. I have two of her paintings which I cherish. She was a wonderful person." -- Betty & Bill Owens

"I first became acquainted with Chris at about age 10. I had become interested in my family tree and my mother, Ruth Armstrong Clarke, suggested I write to her first cousin, Maurice Armstrong, who had done a family tree of our New England and Nova Scotia ancestors. I still have the original family tree that Maurice sent. That is when Chris and I became pen pals, she in Pennsylvania and me in Saskatchewan at that time. She was three years my elder, but still willing to correspond wth a younger cousin. This continued all our lives though frequency eventually was reduced to our annual Christmas letters to each other. Chris's last Christmas notes were obviously written with great difficulty and all the more appreciated for the effort they took. We met only once when Chris and Jim did a Grand Tour of Canada. But our life long epistolary connection enriched my life. Thank you and be at peace, Chris." -- Brenda

"I had the pleasure of teaching with Christina for many years at Pottsgrove Intermediate and Middle Schools. I knew her to be professional, upbeat, and always generous with her time. Christina had an unflappable resolve which never wavered and was a treasured asset in public education. I was fortunate to have known such an outstanding human being. My sincerest sympathies go out to her loving family." -- Heather Bolyn-Becker

"Chris was a very soft spoken and caring of others. We didn't spend much time together but it as well spent. We will truly miss her for sure. May she rest in peace." -- Maryann and Jim Lewis

"Chris was so caring and talked so softly. She took such care of Jim and his brother. We followed her to find our ancestors in Inverness and Scotland. She did the groundwork. She had 3 sons, and I had 3 daughters. I thought she was quite an accomplished artist. She passed away way too young. I will miss her." -- Marcia Martin