Obituary
Crissoula (Christina) Maria Davi Cohen Bryan
Born May 20, 1927 – deceased August 24, 2021 with her family by her side.
Born in Greece to Anna and Stanley Davi, Crissoula was one of five children.
Christina met John Cohen, a Naval Officer from Malta, during WW2 and they married. She moved to Malta to live with John and their five children were born there. Living together with her dear mother-in-law Carmela, she learned Maltese ways. In May 1960, John & Christina and family immigrated to Canada, landing in Lethbridge, Alberta. (What a culture shock!) Although Christina left her mother-in-law and her extended family behind and pined for them and for the beautiful Mediterranean region, she lived her new life with great faith and courage. Two years later, John was tragically killed in a motor vehicle accident. The family was deeply impacted by his death.
On her own, Christina raised her five children. Fluent in Greek, Italian, French, Maltese and some Latin, she later learned English very well. Christina worked at various jobs, walking to and from locations or taking the bus. She instilled a ‘get up and go’ philosophy and a love of learning in her children by her example. Christina was employed in housekeeping at the University of Lethbridge for several years and then for Catholic School District No. 9, where she later retired.
Christina’s family was her greatest love. She was a wonderful cook who loved to gather family and friends and feed them one of her many special Greek or Maltese meals. Her joy of life was infectious and she had a great, though quirky, sense of humour. She shared her courage with many people, young and old and her advice was legendary, even reaching to the lonely and the broken-hearted. Christina married Hubert Bryan who predeceased her in 2020.
Mom will be greatly missed by her five children, 12 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Left to mourn her loss and celebrate her life are:
Lena (Ed) Vogel and Lena’s children Tina (Ron) Pratt, Lorna Sinclair, and John Sinclair as well as 13 great-grandchildren;
Mary (Andy) Cohen and Mary’s children Yvette Dudley-Neuman and husband Trevor Neuman, Wayne John Dudley (who predeceased her in 2008) and Chris Dudley (wife Misty, deceased) as well as 3 great-grandchildren Raeven, Landon and Aiden Dudley;
Paul Cohen and his children Courtney and Carmen (and family) as well as 3 great-grandchildren;
Stan (Judy) Cohen and their children Jonathan Cohen and Shauna Cohen and her 2 children Kruz and Vallen;
Anna (Patrick) Ell and Anna’s children Christina (Curtis) Roux and their children Owen and Ashlyn, and Ammi (Myron) Dirks.
The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at St. Therese Villa, CRH Emergency staff (Dr. Hamilton), and family physician Dr. Jonker for their kindness and care for our beloved mother.
Evergreen Crematorium Services assisted with burial and a Celebration of Life Memorial Service is planned by the family October 2nd at Legacy Pavilion (216 Legacy Road N), with the program beginning at 2:00 pm. A light lunch will be served after the program. We look forward to seeing you there.
“Your physical life has ended but your memories live in our hearts forever.”
“Precious in the sight of The Lord is the death of His saints.” Psalm 116:15 NKJV
Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Christina Maria Davi Cohen Bryan May 20 1927 August 24 2021 (age 94)..
Death notice for the town of: Lethbridge, Province: Alberta