June 10, 2021
Christian, Anne
January 31, 1942 – June 1, 2021
Anne C. (Berger) Christian – of Westwood, age 79, passed away from mesothelioma on June 1st, at home with her husband at her side. Anne was born and raised on Cape Cod. She attended Skidmore College and graduated from the Faulkner Hospital School of Nursing in 1965. She started working at Boston Children’s Hospital where she soon became Head Nurse of the Surgical ER and the Surgical Clinics. It was in April 1968 that she met her future husband, Roger, a surgical resident at the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, while he was on a one year rotation at Children’s. They quickly fell in love, became engaged after only three dates, and married that September. After a sailing honeymoon on a friend’s old wooden boat, they briefly lived in Roxbury while Roger completed his training. Following two years in Texas with the US Army, they settled in Westwood where they became involved with First Parish and the Couple’s Club. Besides raising their three children, Anne sang in the church choir and acted in eight musicals put on by the Clapboardtree Players. She went on to serve three years with the Westwood School Committee and two terms on the Westwood Finance Committee, later returning to nursing with Westwood/Mansfield Pediatric Associates. Throughout her life she was a good friend and counselor to many. She was the loving wife of Roger L, and dear mother of James T and his wife Sara, Laura E of Roslindale, and Benjamin P and his wife, Nicole Korbly of RI. Also survived by her siblings, Joan Reed of Orleans, Calvin Berger of Florida, and William Berger of Norwood, and by six beloved grandchildren. Visitation for Anne will be held on Thursday June 24 from 5:00 to 8:00 PM at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High St, Westwood. Relatives and friends are invited to a service to celebrate Anne’s life on Sat June 26 at 11:00 AM at the First Parish Church of Westwood, 252 Nahatan St, Westwood, MA 02090. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donation to First Parish Church (address above) or to the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA, 748 Hamilton Rd, Becket, MA 01223, would be appreciated.
Comments(3)
Too hard to use any past tense about a woman whose humor, joy, compassion and capacity to act radiates still. Anne will be sorely missed by all of us, near and far.
Our heartfelt condolences are sent to Roger and his family
for the loss of Anne. She was a strong, vibrant, and loving
member of the human race. The world was better for her presence. The men of Roger’s singing group, Boston Saengerfest Men’s Chorus, and Anne and Roger’s mixed choir at Westwood First Parish Church will miss her companionship
and energetic friendship.
Anne was one of the wisest people I’ve ever met. She provided me with life-changing advice on several occasions over the 40 plus years I have known her and had a way of sorting the wheat from the chaff that was really inspirational. I always referred to her as my “mother “, and life will be diminished knowing she is not there. RIP Mom – you made the world a better place for all of us.