Christensen, Isabelle Burke, 94, died February 17, 2007 at a Mars Hill healthcare facility. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m., Thursday, February 22, 2007 at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Fort Fairfield. Arrangements are in the care of Dorsey Funeral Home, Fort Fairfield.
Fort Fairfield – Isabelle (Burke) Christensen, 94, passed away Saturday, February 17, 2007, at a Mars Hill healthcare facility. She was born February 21, 1912 in Fort Fairfield, the daughter of James Henry Burke and Phoebe (Brown) Burke.
She graduated from Fort Fairfield High School in 1929. She studied home economics at Farmington Normal School and transferred to the Aroostook State Normal School in Presque Isle where she received her diploma in elementary education in 1932. She taught school at several country schools in Fort Fairfield, including Chambersville School on the Sam Everett Road, the Page School, the Grange Hall School, and the McIntosh Corner School. When the country schools closed, she served as a substitute teacher in Fort Fairfield for a number of years. She married Victor Christensen on November 14, 1936 and they lived on the Christensen family farm for sixty years. She was active in numerous organizations including the Episcopal Church Women, Grange, Extension, Garden Club and the Friendly Group. She enjoyed teaching, family, farming, cooking, gardening, knitting, family picnics, traveling, her friends and her many collections. She was the best wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin and friend that one could hope to have.
In addition to her parents, Isabelle was predeceased by her husband, Victor H. Christensen on January 1, 1990; one brother, Ralph Burke; three sisters, Ruth Burke, Helen Burke Rich and Adelaide Burke Haines. Mrs. Christensen is survived by her daughter, Johanna Christensen Baril and her husband Robert of Mukilteo, WA; son, Philip H. Christensen and his wife Carol of Fort Fairfield; six grandchildren, Karen, Paul, Christen and David Baril, Debra Christensen Courtright and Todd Christensen; eight great-grandchildren, Sierra, Kaitlyn, Steven, Eric, Mariah, Hannah and Patrick Baril, Shane Christensen Courtright; several special nieces and nephews; and many of her country school students that she still called her “kids”.
Friends may call 7:00 – 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at the Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main Street, Fort Fairfield. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, February 22, 2007 at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 166 Main Street, Fort Fairfield with the Rev. Dr. Robert Smith officiating. A time of fellowship will be held at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Hall, immediately following the funeral service. Interment will take place at the Riverside Cemetery, Fort Fairfield, later in the spring. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Christensen to the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Organ Fund, P.O. Box 737, Fort Fairfield, 04742. Envelopes will be available at funeral home.
