Christine Marie Elaina

Christine Marie Elaina (Schwartz) Blackgoat of Juneau, Alaska passed away peacefully on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2016 at the age of 67.

She was born on March 24, 1949 in Maywood, Illinois and grew up in the Chicago area. She loved family, nursing, education, books and adventure. She attended Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona completing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas finishing her Masters in Health Care Administration. In 1995, she obtained her Juris Doctorate at the University of North Dakota. Her travels took her all over, but Alaska was home.

She worked many years in the healthcare industry serving in many roles, including Director, Department of Health and Social Services for the City and Borough of Juneau, Associate Administrator of Health Services for Valley Hospital in Palmer, Alaska and Director of Nursing Ser vices for Community Hospital and Rehabilitation Center of Los Gatos, California. Christine will long be remembered for her love of learning and nursing, her determination and passion for integrity, her encouragement of aiming for the stars no matter how challenging it was, her delight in people accomplishing their dreams and using their full potential and talents.

She treasured families in all forms and their stories. Christine did not hesitate to express her love for people and the amazing life experiences she shared with them. She was a tremendous and remarkable woman who will be missed by many.

Christine was preceded in death by her son Benjamin James Blackgoat; her parents James Schwartz and Rosemary (John) Peterson; and her cousins Gregory Schwartz and Russell Niemann.

She is survived by her children Amanda (Kwame) of Juneau, Alaska, Brandon (Rene) of Gilbert, Arizona, and Kyla of Juneau, Alaska; her grandchildren Micaela, Morgan, Elijah, Piper, Cooper, and Benjamin; her sisters Jeanine Schwartz, Ilona(John) Ridgeway, and Lori(Si) Intravichit; many nieces and nephews, and fondly remembered by the Blackgoat Family.

All of whom she loved and is loved by. Christine’s family and friends will gather for a memorial service at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 9055 Atlin Drive, Juneau, Alaska 99801 on December 9, 2016 at 7pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, 9055 Atlin Drive, Juneau, AK 99801, Hospice and Home Care of Juneau, 419 6th Street, Juneau, Alaska 99801 or The Alaska Youth Choir, PO Box 33252, Juneau, Alaska 99803.