FORT FAIRFIELD – Isabelle (Burke) Christensen, 94, passed away Saturday, Feb. 17, 2007, at a Mars Hill health care facility. She was born Feb. 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 economies at Farmington Normal School and transferred to Aroostook State Normal School, 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, Nov. 14, 1936, and they lived on the Christensen family farm for 60 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, Jan. 1, 1990; one brother, Ralph Burke; and 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, Wash.; 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 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21, at Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield. Funeral services will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 166 Main St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Dr. Robert Smith officiating. A time of fellowship will be held immediately after the funeral service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Hall. Interment will take place at 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, ME 04742. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.
ISABELLE (BURKE) CHRISTENSEN
