Christina Andre

Christina (Filban) Andre, 76, passed away January 29, 2020 at Cappella Assisted Living in Grand Junction, Colorado from complications of chronic bronchiectasis.

Chris was born to Leslie and Laverne M. (Allen) Filban in 1943 in Taylor Michigan. She completed her Bachelors of Science in Botany and Plant Pathology at Michigan State University and a Master of Science in Plant Pathology and Weed Science at Colorado State University. A love of the outdoors and desire to experience the Rocky Mountain wilderness brought her to Colorado where she lived and recreated the rest of her life. She worked as a biological science and lab technician for many agricultural research facilities, including the National Laboratory for Genetic Resource Preservation, the Natural Resources Ecology Lab at Colorado State University and the USDA-ARS Crops Research Lab in Fort Collins, Colorado.

In 1968, Chris married Charles Andre and they built a home in the mountains in Stratton Park near Bellvue, Colorado, where they raised their two children while enjoying the beautiful scenery and quiet of rural life. Chris was an avid gardener and spent her free time hiking, camping, backpacking, cross-country skiing, bird watching, rock hounding, and chasing wildflowers. She volunteered for the Poudre Wilderness Volunteers and Colorado Division of Wildlife. She was awarded for her many years of service to the Rist Canyon Volunteer Fire Department, served as a 4-H leader, and gave countless hours to the Stove Prairie School attended by her two children. Chris was also skilled at embroidery, sewing, crochet and photography. She was a member of the Audubon Society, the Grand Junction Gem and Mineral Club, and was an active member of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of the Grand Valley.

Her strong spirit carried her through over 30 years of complications with bronchiectasis, which she refused to keep her from enjoying life. Despite a limited lung capacity, she visited many countries including Guatemala, Canada, Costa Rica, Romania, and Egypt, and explored much of our own amazing country, camping and hiking. She cared deeply about our natural world and her family, and was a bright, curious individual that was always interested in learning more about the world. She is survived by her children Scott (Mary) Andre and Melissa (Daniel) Neubaum, as well as her beloved grandchildren Heidi and Nikita Andre, and Everett and Finley Neubaum.  The family will hold a private memorial service commemorating her life at a time and date to be determined. Memorials may be made in memory of Chris Andre to HopeWest Hospice and Palliative Care of Grand Junction or The Nature Conservancy.