Christine Mary Miskimins (née Clifford)

April 29, 1948-December 22, 2024

Christine, "Chris," passed away on December 22, 2024, in Wausau, Wisconsin.

Born April 29, 1948, in Portland, Oregon, Chris was the second oldest of eleven children born to Charles and Lois Clifford. Chris spent most of her life in Portland, Oregon. She attended Holy Redeemer Elementary School before moving on to St. Mary's Academy High School, graduating in 1966. Post high school she spent a year studying to become a nun with the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary/Marylhurst University in Oregon and also pursued some medical assistant certifications. Ultimately, she decided that God wanted her to be a wife and mother most of all.

Chris met her husband Neil Miskimins at the Portland Chancellor's Club in early 1970, and they married at St. John Fisher Church on July 25, 1970. They welcomed six children between 1972 and 1979 (no twins!). A devoted mother, Chris will be remembered for the work she put into raising her six children as well as sharing her devotion to her Catholic faith with them. She ran a strict household, but all her children credit her with giving them the strong work ethics they have today. She spent a lot of time trying to make the holidays special for her kids, with many treats and gifts. She also focused on getting her kids ready for grade school with lots of reading and writing sessions.

After raising her children, Chris was employed at St. John Fisher Church and School. She also routinely served as a Eucharistic Minister and helped with Saturday morning Communion Services. She and Neil retired to Polson, Montana in 2015, They enjoyed five years together along beautiful Flathead Lake before Neil passed away. She moved to Wausau, Wisconsin in early 2024 and intended to commence her next chapter in life in the mid-west near her daughter Laurie, but her health deteriorated rapidly not long after her arrival there.

Chris' purpose in life centered around caring for people, both physically and spiritually. From a young age she was an instinctual caretaker to her family and even ran an in-home daycare in the 1980s, while also raising her children. Throughout her life she counseled numerous people on their faith journeys, serving as a sponsor and godmother to many pursuing the Catholic faith.

Chris was famous in her family and amongst friends for her potato salad, the endless treats she made, and her ability to recall family history. She loved old movies, musicals, and soaking up the sun whenever possible.

Chris was preceded in death by her parents, Chuck and Lois Clifford (2001), brothers Ray Clifford (1995) and Charles Clifford Jr. (2012), sister-in-law Francesca Clifford (2005), brother-in-law Robert Cahill (2007), and her husband Neil (2020). She is survived by her six children; Patrick, Sean, Caroline (Iggulden), Laurie, Elizabeth, Brian and their partners; fourteen grandchildren; brothers Tom, Ted, Jim, and Gordon Clifford, sisters Terry Pearson, Sue Powers, Maureen Atchison, and Caprice Lee, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Chris' children would like to extend profound gratitude and love to their spouses and aunts and uncles, who have provided unwavering support to them and their parents through many difficult trials over the last several years.

The family would also like to extend their appreciation to the staff of Mount View Care Center in Wausau, Wisconsin. Whether it was ensuring her comfort, managing her health, or simply sharing a kind word, the staff demonstrated a level of commitment and empathy that went above and beyond.

Chris will be laid to rest on July 3, 2025, in Oregon. The service will be held at St. John Fisher Catholic Church in Portland, Oregon, with final inurnment at Mt. Calvary Cemetery with Neil.

Offerings in Chris' name may be made to St. John Fisher Parish; 4567 SW Nevada Street, Portland, Oregon, 97219 or https://johnfisher.org/ OR to Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary at: https://snjmusontario.org/.

Mid Wisconsin Cremation Society is assisting family at this time. Online condolences may be expressed at MWCS.WS