Christine E. "Chris" Blair

Christine E. (Chris) Blair, age 74 passed away Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at Marshall Rehabilitation and Nursing Center following a battle with oral cancer. Chris was born March 6, 1946 in Peoria, IL to Vincent and Dorothy Peterson both of whom preceded her in death. Chris was a 1964 graduate of Peoria High School and went on to graduate from Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington in 1968 with a Bachelor’s degree in German. Chris spent the following summer working at a nursing home in Germany to become more fluent in the language. In 1972 Chris graduated from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale with a Master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in Instructional Materials. After serving one year as a Media Specialist at Orion Middle School, Chris moved to Robinson where she spent the next 32 years as the Media Specialist at Nuttall Middle School. While serving as the Media Specialist at the Middle School, Chris was chosen to serve on the Evaluator’s Committee of the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers’ Book Award (a statewide reading program). She served in this capacity for many years. During Chris’s time as an evaluator she met author, Joan Bauer. Chris introduced Joan to the students and staff of Nuttall Middle School. Chris continued her working relationship with Joan as a copy editor and researcher. This relationship developed into a deep friendship that lasted until Chris’s passing. While serving as the NMS Media Specialist Chris also taught an 8th grade research class. Because of Chris’s love of research she wrote a book, Let Your Fingers Do the Searching: Using Reference Sources and Their Indexes, which was published in 2003. Her research continued and included an in depth study of the Underground Railroad. She did extensive travel to glean information on the Underground Railroad to include in her public presentations to both students and to the community. Retirement opened a whole new world for Chris. She referred to herself as “a dog with a bone”, always wanting to know more and to be a part of things. It was after retirement that she returned to a love from her high school and college years, that of lighting. She spent countless days designing the lighting for numerous musical productions at Lincoln Trail College. It was also during this time that Chris returned to her love of nature by gardening, doing extensive hiking and biking sometimes as a Road Scholar like when she biked the Katy Trail across Missouri. She loved walking, especially in Washington Park. This love grew to include camping and hiking through the Indiana State Parks that were highlighted in the Explorer Program. Chris also hiked parts of the Appalachian Trail and was looking forward to another hike there in October. She competed in several 5K’s, half-marathons and even a triathlon. She was a long time, faithful member of HealthWorks. Chris was an award winning photographer and artist. She loved drawing, played the piano, banjo and mandolin. She enjoyed playing bridge and gin rummy with friends. She was an avid reader, especially of the Bible. Chris served over 25 years as a scorekeeper for NMS volleyball and basketball teams, then after retirement for RHS volleyball. A woman of deep faith, Chris was a member of First Baptist Church in Robinson. For many years she sponsored a young man through Compassion International. She touched the lives of countless students and adults with her selfless giving, strength of character and unwavering integrity. Chris was a very private person, but to the fortunate few who truly got to know her, she was a treasured friend and truly remarkable woman. Chris will be deeply missed by her brother, David Peterson of Queretaro, Mexico and by her many friends near and far. At Chris’s request, there will be no public services. Memorial contributions may be made to "Lincolnland Hospice" or the "American Cancer Society".