Christine F. Donley, beloved mother, cherished friend, and beacon of love, passed away on February 18, 2024. She left this world leaving behind a legacy of kindness and compassion.
Born on November 3, 1954, Chris was a radiant presence from the very beginning, filling the lives of all who knew her with joy and light. Throughout her life, she embodied the true essence of selflessness, always putting the needs of others before her own.
As a mother, she was unparalleled in her love and care. Her children were the center of her universe, and she dedicated herself wholeheartedly to their happiness and well-being. Her nurturing spirit created a home filled with laughter, comfort, and endless love, a sanctuary where her family always found solace and support.
Beyond her role as a mother, Chris was a cherished friend to many. Her compassionate heart and empathetic nature endeared her to all who had the privilege of knowing her. She possessed a rare ability to uplift and inspire those around her, offering a listening ear and unconditional love to anyone in need.
For 48 years, Christina Francesca served as a flight attendant for United Airlines, a career she adored and excelled in. Her love for the job was evident in every smile she shared with passengers, every act of kindness she extended, and every journey she embarked upon. Alongside her, she had her flying partners, her closest friends and confidants who shared the passion for travel and dedication to service. Through their camaraderie and friendship, Chris found joy and fulfillment in her work, creating cherished memories and adventure.
Christine is survived by her two adoring children, Shawnah and Scott, their father Randall, parents-in-law Larry and Helene Donley, sisters JoAnn (Steve) Horvath, Karen (Mitch) Bialek, brother Michael Pecha, brother and sister-in-law Michael and Kelley Donley, and nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be Sunday, February 25, 2024 from 1 to time of prayers 3:45 pm all at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley.
Mass will be Monday, February 26, 2024, at 10 a.m. with a visitation the hour prior, all at St. Mary Church, 10307 Dundee Road, Huntley.
Burial to follow Mass at St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine.
For further information please contact the DeFiore Funeral Home, 847-515-8772
Please leave a video condolence by entering your name and click the "Record" button below. You can always preview your video prior to submitting it. Please note that you may receive a prompt to grant DefioreFuneral access to your camera. This is only temporary and will be solely for the duration of recording your condolence message.
Our hearts are broken for your loss. Please know we are sending our love, thoughts and prayers to all in her family.
Chris was a spark of joy for all of us who worked with her. My heart and prayers go out to her Family. She will always be special to me
I wanted to express my deepest condolences to Chris’ family. Chris lit up a room with her beautiful smile and warm, friendly manner. I loved flying with her. May you find peace and comfort in knowing that her “United Family” shares in your grief. Your mom was an amazing person and will be missed by many.
Chris was more like a sister than a friend. Beautiful inside and out. A loving mother, devoted employee, an incredible friend to so many. She loved God and was so grateful for his many blessings. My deepest condolences to the family and all of you that loved her.
OUR DEAREST CHRIS….YOU ALWAYS LITE UP ANY ROOM, ALWAYS SO FULL OF “ALOHA” AND LOVE FOR EVERYONE! JUST LOOKING AT YOU MADE ME MOURN FOR THAT PURE, GENUINE LOVE YOU HAD FOR ALL! YOU WILL ETERNALLY BE DEEP IN OUR HEARTS AND NEVER FORGOTTEN! ETERNALLY LOVING YOU!
It was an honor to know her and a privilege to work with Chris . Her positivity and effervescence will be missed . May the loving thoughts of others help you find comfort and peace.
So sorry to hear about Chris. My condolences to all of her family at this difficult time. I will never forget our fun trips and shopping! My friend, I will miss you!
My prayers are with family and friends of Chris.She is with the Lord. May you find comfort knowing she is home
Our dear Chris, we wish you a heartfelt Aloha O'e, and many mahalos for the wonderful memories we all have of you! You remain in the hearts of so many, and I send sincere condolences to your beloved ohana.
I pray for her friends and family to find peace for your loss! I met her briefly and loved our conversation! You’ll be missed by many!
Cannot express the pain of the loss God obviously needed her elsewhere YOU her family have a powerful new angel in heaven looking over you and keeping you safe
such a beautiful loving friend------she was a joy to fly with & will be missed by all of us. Rest in Peace Deerest!
Chris and I meet thru her daughter Shawnah Softball team in Marengo. She was always very supportive of the team. Always a kind word and a great smile. God's blessings to her family and friends.
Chris was probably one of the nicest. sweetest and most positive people I’ve ever known! My heart is aching for her loss! My deepest condolences to her family and closest friends! She truly is an angel looking down on us from heaven
Chris was such joy to fly with to HNL. I always smiled when I saw her name on the flight. Your family are in my thoughts and prayers. And you, Chris, are always in my heart.
My deepest condolences! I so terribly sorry for your loss. I hope you somehow find some moments of peace during this extremely difficult time. I am giving your heart so many hugs… And keeping all of you in my prayers every day!
Eric and I are deeply saddened by Chris’s passing. Shawnah and Scott I just want you to know how sorry I am. I have known you since the beginning and her love for you was genuine and forever. She was the epitome of unconditional love and a beautiful person inside and out. I will cherish the many memories of our United family and our own families.
Chris, We will always and forever keep you in our hearts. We love you beyond words and will sorely miss our conversations,laughter and I Love yous. Never forget never JoAnn
Chris was so lovely. I flew with her a lot on the HNL route and did an Italian charter with her. She was the kindest person!
Chris was a beautiful, kind and loving person. The world is a better place because she was in it and she will be truly missed.
I am so sorry to hear of Chris’s passing. We shared many fun weekends together at Wash U Bears football games. We became friends thru watching our boys play football. She was a kind compassionate thoughtful person. My sympathy to Shawnah and Scott. May her memory be eternal
Our hearts are incredibly heavy Chris was one of the sweetest people we’ve ever known
Dear Shawnah & Scott, I was so sorry to hear of your dear Mom’s untimely death. Please accept my heartfelt sympathy. I had many wonderful trips & layovers with your Mom. I think her obit says it all. She was so kind, full of life, interesting to be with, & always had a smile on her face. Your Mom will be missed by all that knew & loved her. I will be out of town so I will not be able to express my sympathy in person or give you a hug, but know I will be thinking of you as you say good by to your loving Mom. Her love for the both of you is eternal. Hugs, Linda McSherry (retired UAL)
What A great sadness to lose Chris, your mom and our friend , so early in life. Please accept my sincere condolences. She was one of the best flight attendants working our old United Honolulu routes, always taking first break for “ the team”… she always chose to work as the greeter saying hello to the endless stream of vacationers on our trips . Sure, partly because she couldn’t reach the overhead bins to close them :) :) :) ) but always presented her best at the door of the airplane. In the early years of our marriages we would share the struggles and happy times of our marriages, children and work juggle. And sharing is what she was great at… Know your grief is shared by many whose path she crossed. Know that she will always be a prayer away for you.
Our wonderful Angel, ALWAYS unconditionally giving, humble and a continuous radiant smile! You will always be with us!
Sending my prayers to the family. There is a special place for her in Heaven! Chris was a very special person who had an incredible smile and positive attitude! A joy to work with!!
Chris was a treasured flying partner and will be sadly missed. My condolences to all her wonderful family and friends.
My heart is completely broken learning of my dear friends passing. Chris and I were in the same class at the UAL training center back in 1976. We became instant friends. She is such a joy to be around, such a beautiful smile and a kind and loving person. Condolences to her family and friends. I will miss you my sweet friend!
There are no words to adequately define Chris. We will never see the likes of her again. Christine was one of a kind. Amen. My prayers go to her beautiful children.
Chris, You are looking down, From Heaven above, Now, One of God's Angels, We all miss and love. A Guardian Angel, Guiding us without fear, Leaving a tug at our heart, Let us know you are near. We remember your smile, and sparkling eyes, They now twinkle above us, You're a star in the skies. Chris, Your kindness and compassion, Is the story we tell, How it embraced the lives, Of those who knew you so well. One more GIPHY, Phone call or hug, Just isn't enough To replace all your love. So...We ask you dear Friend, Please always be near, You hold a spot in our heart, And a glimmer in our tear.
Such a sweet spirit and a wonderful soul. It was always a pleasure to fly with her. We will miss your kind heart and cherish the memories you leave with us. Sending my condolences to the family, friends and loved ones.
Our hearts are broken with the loss of Chris. A beautiful soul, a kind heart and a smile for everyone she passed. It is with great sadness that I express my sympathy to her family and the son and daughter she cherished most. I will miss her beyond words.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. With each memory we meet again with those we love for the heart never forgets.
Our sweet, adorable Chris. She was one of a kind. She put a lot of energy and love into her friendships. Chris always made us feel special. Our passengers loved her and so did we. She sure loved us,but oh did she love her children!! She was a great employee – a great friend, but a fabulous mother. We are all so sorry for your loss. I will miss you B
Chris received another pair of wings...those of an angel. Her sincerity, kindness and smile will be missed by many.
My heart goes out to all of you for your loss of a wonderful person. I hope your happy memories will help you through this difficult time. (Retired UAL)
Our hearts and prayers go out to Chris her loving family and many friends. I met Chris in Chicago many years ago. Chris always greeted me with a huge hug and fabulous smile. She made a person feel as if you had known each other for years. Chris touched so many lives as these texts and memories show. Over the past years we would be thrilled to see Chris joining us for a boating weekend. Chris Never Met A Stranger. She would always have a glorious smile and extreme kindness for everyone who boated with us in Chicago. Chris has her very special wings from United Airlines, which she definitely deserved after 48 years of service. Now Chris has her own New Wings that take her higher than United …another role. Chris is now each of her family members and many friends newest and brightest Angel up above looking down guiding us. My weekend boating trips Never be the same, without her smile and friendship. I am planning celebrating this wonderful person who touched so many lives with a Hawaiian Lei drop in Chicago during the Summer. Aloha Dear Chris please keep your huge smile and guide us all from Heaven. Sending much Aloha Doug and Renee Moran Vogle and Moran Clan.
Beautiful Chris. She always had a smile and made everyone feel welcome. A joy to work with and fun on the layover. Rest in peace Chris, you will be missed.
I was sadden to hear of Chris’s passing. We were high school classmates and friends. She was a sweet and kind person. My condolences to her family. Rest In Peace Chris.
My deepest sympathy and condolences. Thinking of you and your family. I remember Chris and what a wonderful person she was.
Our deepest sympathy go out to you at this difficult time, you are in our prayers. Chris's wings were ready but our hearts were not.
Always thought the world of Christine. We grew up in Lyons. I went to Costello and she went to Washington Elementary. First time I met her was in 7th grade and knew she was special and full of life. Always thought the world of her. Condolences to the family and she will always be remembered by all that knew her and touched so many.
Chris was such a wonderful flight attendant to fly with. She made our flights to Hawaii so much more fun. She will be missed. Condolenses to Shawnah and Scott. She was so proud of both of you!
Chris was a sports mom through and through. We met at Riley via our children and continued being fans together through their HS days. She could not do enough to support kids in the community and be another Marengo Mom. We lost touch in recent years, but when a thought of her came us, you could help but picture her smile. Thanks for touching the lives of our children
Shawnah and Scott, We are so sorry to hear about your loss. Christine was an amazing person. She will be truly missed.
Chris was a Riley mom and our kids we close in age. She took the time to generously volunteer for Riley events and we had a ball. She was so very loving, gracious and kind. Shawnah and Scot were her world and she was very proud of them. We cherish the time spent with Chris on pool Fridays and have only wonderful memories.
My though and prayers to Shawnah and Scott and all of Chris’s family and friends. Chris was such a great and involved mom and wonderful and kind person.
Our entire family was saddened to hear about Chris's passing. She was wonderful and very kind human being. We are so sorry for your loss. Our love...Rob, Jeanne, Dylan & Jackson.
We would like to extend our sympathy to Chris’s family. I first met Chris when Scott and our son Jake took a tai Kwan do class at the park district when they were about 4 or 5 years old. Chris was very active with the parents group at Riley school and Scott and Jake were good friends growing up. I remember lots of field trips and doing whatever was needed for school. Jerry always commented when he saw Chris at the airport passing thru on his business trips. Sympathy and love sent your way
My kids and I always looked forward to seeing Christine on her walks around the neighborhood. She was so kind and welcoming. Our neighborhood won't be the same with out her smiling face. We are praying for her loved one's comfort.
My heart is completely broken learning of my dear friends passing. Chris and I were in the same class at the UAL training center back in 1976. We became instant friends. She is such a joy to be around, such a beautiful smile and a kind and loving person. Condolences to her family and friends. I will miss you my sweet friend!