Christine June (Valcheff) Rheam, age 88, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 12, 2024, surrounded by family.
Christine will be deeply missed by all who were blessed to have her in their lives — her unequivocal love and support is the legacy that will live on in their hearts. She shares a tapestry of memories to bring comfort and joy to all who knew her. Born June 20, 1935, in Meadville, PA to the late Christine (Mottillo) and Paul Dimitri Valcheff, Sr., ‘Junie’ and her younger siblings Paul “Sonny’ and Donna, were raised in Brownsville, PA, where she was active in theater, art, and sports and developed a strong sense of compassion, love, and determination.
Upon graduating from the Robert Morris School in Pittsburgh, PA, Chris initially worked in Washington DC for the Pentagon and the US Air Force and then in San Francisco for Bechtel Engineering and in Wiesbaden, Germany for the US Army.
Wedded in Germany to a US Army Colonel, Chris returned stateside and moved with her husband and Scottish Terrier dog for various military posts in PA, NJ, KY, IL, NE, and CA. Chris’ address book is filled with the many fond relationships collected in each posting. In each location Chris also bonded with the parish priest, a collection of which she befriended and remained in routine communications.
When the Colonel passed unexpectedly, Christine returned to the location where she had spent the longest post and had established meaningful relationships with a group of kind and caring friends, all of whom she considered to be family. Not even her dislike of the snow and cold would prevent her from making Erie, PA her permanent home. During the over 30 years in residence, she remained a vocal ambassador of the many attributes the city affords, always exclaiming ‘Good People Here’ as its tagline.
Family and friends meant the world to Christine; connection was key. Holiday gatherings showcased her generosity and great sense of humor. Always a gift-giver, she found joy in bestowing the treat of a bottle of exceptional wine or a box of Erie chocolates.
Never one to forget a special occasion, Chris spent joyful countless hours searching for “just the right” greeting card with the perfect sentiment (the Hallmark Store will certainly miss her patronage). Accumulated, piled, and standing ‘at the ready’ in the kitchen, such correspondence often was delayed in being mailed by deadline. But always the intended recipient received a delightful and timely phone call to chuckle and announce its forthcoming delivery. Once opened, the card frequently also held a news article clipping regarding an area of shared interest.
Pittsburgh sports teams unknowingly received excellent critique from their stalwart super fan Christine. Whether for Pirates baseball, Penguins hockey, or her beloved Steeler’s football, “Coach Chris” never had a down time in her unofficial duties, always giving positive advice.
Chris could strike up a conversation with anyone and make them feel as though they had known one another for decades. Living in Erie in “Browns territory”, special connections were made with those who cheered for the Steelers – newspaper delivery men, plumbers, and repairmen were all met with smiles and sports talk concerning the Steelers and their future success; more importantly — what they needed to do to WIN!
Weekly salon appointments were rarely missed — only if severe weather threatened to mess-up her fresh hairdo on the way home.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband, Colonel Calvin Robert Rheam of Port Royal, PA; her terriers Scottie and Mactavish; her brother and sister-in-law Paul and Anneliese Valcheff of Moon, PA; and brother-in-law Neal Hundt of Boise, ID.
Chris leaves behind to cherish her in memory, a sister, Donna Hundt, nieces Barbara (Tom Dickson) and Annette (Shawn Bennett); nephews Paul Valcheff (Kimberly), Christopher Valcheff (Jess), Geoffrey Hundt (with Carrie Harvie), and Eric Valcheff (Lucille); and many beloved grandnieces and grandnephews.
Chris’s spirit has forever enhanced those who were fortunate enough to call her sister, Aunt, and friend. May she rest in peace, knowing that she remains deeply loved and shall never be forgotten.
Friends are invited to attend a 1:00 p.m. Catholic Memorial Service on Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Burton Quinn-Scott Cremation & Funeral Services Inc. Downtown, 602 W Tenth Street, officiated by Reverend Nicholas Fratus.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a charitable gift contribution in memorial donation to the Smithsonian Institution (Friends of the Smithsonian), PO Box 37012, MRC 712 Washington, DC 20013-7012.
