Born on June 11, 1949 in New York City to Harold and Marianne, Christine Jensen Arnone passed away peacefully in the arms of her loving husband and son on May 24, 2022 at New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital in Bronxville.
An only child, Christine was raised in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx. She married United States Marine Vietnam Veteran George J. Arnone in 1973 and gave birth to Eric Michael in 1976. While raising her only son, Christine graduated from Lehman College and attained her Master’s in guidance counselling with the highest of honors (summa cum laude and number 1 in her class).
During her life, Christine was a tireless fighter for equal rights for all. For decades, she marched in the streets in protest of systemic oppression, from the streets of the nation’s capital to the streets of New York City. From the 1960’s leading up to the days and weeks before she passed, Christine was a devout feminist who was actively committed to fighting for racial justice. Christine also served as President of “Bronx Women Against Rape,” a grassroots organization committed to advocating on behalf of sexual assault victims who reside in Bronx communities that have traditionally been rendered voiceless. Christine’s tireless work in this field – which included providing personal overnight hospital coverage to victims - earned her recognition in the media as well as from the President of the Borough of the Bronx, who awarded her a Citation of Merit.
Christine was loved by so many. She loved and cherished her Bronx friends and neighbors and enjoyed fostering a strength of community organization and strength on her block. A brilliant polymath, she read books every night, quickly completed New York Times crossword puzzles and was a brilliant painter and artist. Above all, Christine adored music - mostly that from the 60s and the concert at Woodstock she so proudly attended.
Christine loved creating and nourishing all those around her, including her beautiful little garden and her sweet collection of plants. Christine also enjoyed the finer things in life – from delicious food to her favorite glasses of wine. Most of all, Christine loved her husband and son, who endlessly love her back. She carried her family through thick and thin and uplifted everyone during the happiest of times. Full of love, she made holidays and birthdays as special as they could be. She was an eternal light that could never be extinguished.
Christine’s wish was always to return to her mother and father in heaven, and that wish was finally granted. Christine will be cremated and her remains buried next to her parents at Kensico Cemetery on June 8, 2022 at 11 AM, as she always wanted.
Rest Easy, Mom, Wife and Flower Child – and enjoy your eternal “Summer of Soul” concerts and parties in Heaven forever.
Reposing Thursday, June 2nd , 4-8 pm at Riverdale-on-Hudson Funeral Home, 6110 Riverdale Ave., Bx. Committal is private.