Remembering Christy Bronken
Brooke Auxier
Issue date: 2/8/10 Section: Features
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Daughter. Sister. Friend. Roommate. Cousin. Student.
Christy Bronken '11 was taken into eternal life on December 19, 2009 with her closest friends and family by her side following a snowmobiling accident.
Many people on this campus have been affected by both the life and death of Christy Bronken. As a twenty-year-old college student, Christy was taken too soon, but her legacy will remain through the relationships she established with faculty, staff, and most significantly, students.
Old St. Joe's was flooded with members of the St. Norbert community, friends and family on the morning of Feb. 3 during common prayer to celebrate the beautiful life that was Christy Bronken,
The heartfelt service was lovely, with touching words from those who knew her best, including close friends and roommates Allyce Rupp '11, Bethany "Beezer" Hurst '11 and Amanda "Mandy" Walton '11. Cousin and close friend Michelle Venard '10, as well as water ski and wakeboard teammates and close friends Gina Smith '10 and Adam Pahl '10, also spoke thoughtful words and prayers at the memorial service. The presence of a sincerely loving community and a beautiful array of pictures displayed the joy of Christy's life. Between Julie Massey's welcome and Rev. Dr. Jay Fostner, O.Praem.'s closing of the service the choir, joined by those present, sang beautiful melodies to celebrate Christy's life.
Dr. Robert Pyne began the reflection with kind words that described Christy perfectly, stating, "Many of you students knew Christy as one of your best friends. You knew her as a natural leader - a charming, charismatic, irresistible, irreplaceable presence who made things fun when others didn't think they were even possible. When you were with her, you knew she was one of the best and most beautiful people you would ever know - a genuine person with a good heart and a natural love for people."
Pyne added, "Others of us, myself included, knew Christy only from a distance. But we want you family and you friends to know that we love you, that we enter into your grief both because we love you and because we too have a seat on humanity's mourning bench."
Christy was an active member of the college community. She was a member of the Wakeboard and Water Ski Team, Canadian Cornishams, and was in the process of forming the Snowboard and Ski Club with Allyce Rupp. Honoring Christy's legacy, Allyce will continue her mission to make the group a reality on campus.
Whether a close friend or a mere acquaintance, the entire college community has been affected by the sudden death of such a vibrant young woman. Christy's spirit is an immense presence on campus and within the lives of those who knew her.
In visiting a memorial Facebook group, Christy Bronken <3, the wall is overflowing with those wishing to communicate with Christy. Although she is gone, many Christmas and New Years wishes, along with fond memories and current struggles of those who knew her fill the page.
Christine Lee Bronken, May 9, 1989 - Dec. 19, 2009. Our very own beautiful guardian Angel. You are loved and missed.
Memories of Christy:
"Christy was the type of friend you only get once in a lifetime, I miss her smile and her ability to turn anything into fun and memorable experience. She excelled at everything she did, she made everyone who knew her into a better person. She was truly beautiful inside and out and my irreplaceable best friend."
-Bethany "Beezer" Hurst
The short time that I got to spend with her here on earth we were able to create memories that will last me a lifetime. Whether we were just hanging out in our apartment or I was flying half way around the world to visit her in Rome, Christy and I always had a great time. She always had a way of making the best of every situation she was faced with. Christy made an impact on my life, as well as manyothers, she helped me to grow as a person and was a great rolemodel for the way that I want to live my life, and the way others should want to live thiers. Christy lived everyday with love, compassion, and excitment in her heart. No words can say how much I miss her, but I live everyday knowing that the day will come when we will meet again. Until then I will keep her in my heart and in my memories and I will try to live my life the way that Christy lived hers, with love, compassion, and excitement."
- Amanda "Mandy" Walton
"There's no way to articulate the grief from the loss of my cousin and good friend Christy. She was a beautiful light that has gone out too soon. From this point forward, I will live my life the way Christy would have-- with an abundance of love, laughter and excitement for life. There is no way to describe how great she was, and it is shown through her character how many people are affected by her passing. Christy was the truest of friends and brought great joy to our family. I am extremely blessed to have been able to be in her life not only as a cousin but a friend as well."
-Michelle Venard
"I consider myself to be blessed to have known Christy for the last 3 years of her life. She was my roommate, best friend, but more importantly she was the girl who changed my life for the better. She inspired me to look ahead to the future with a whole new perspective, with an open heart and an open mind! I have made it my life goal to try to be more like her everyday! She's the girl who lived life to the fullest, cherished every minute of everyday, and someone who has accomplished more in her 20 years than most people do in their entire lives. She was one of those people the world needs more of. She was such a beautiful person inside and out, and the love you had for you friends and family were immeasurable. She touched the lives of everyone she met and brought joy and happiness to the world, which will forever be cherished. She has a very large piece of my heart which can never be replaced."
- Allyce Rupp
Fly On
by Tanya Pollard:
Now I'm here all alone and the snow melts away
You are gone from this place we call life
So suddenly things just changed, I couldn't see your face
You closed your eyes and flew away up into the sky
Chorus: You're an angel in the sky
With your wings and that never ending smile
All we can do is take a deep breath, say our prayers
And remember all of you
You're not gone; you live on, like the stars
Even though we don't see them they are always there
This is life, it is not fair
But there was a plan much bigger than we knew
Rest in peace my angel and friend
As the snow melts I see your face, all the times we spent together
It's ok I tell myself, it takes time
But how I wish we could have that one more moment or chance
The snow melts away but I know
Forever in my heart you'll stay
Chorus: You're an Angel in the sky
With your wings and that never ending smile
All we can do is take a deep breath, say our prayers
And remember all of you
Take your wings and fly high
Hear our prayers, love and cries
Sleep tight beautiful angel
Forever you fly on
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