MUSHKA, Christine Mushka

We are sad to announce the death of Christine Mushka.

Chris was born in Yorkton, Sask., and spent her early years there, and in the farming communities of eastern Saskatchewan. She attended the University of Saskatchewan, where she nurtured her interest in journalism, and became editor of The Sheaf, the campus newspaper. After graduating she began work, first as a reporter and news reader in private radio and then as a reporter for the Saskatoon Star-Phoenix newspaper. She moved to Calgary and began a long, successful career as a copy editor, and later editorial writer, for the Herald newspaper. In the early 1990s, she took a leave from the Herald and lived in Cyprus, where she worked as a copy editor for the Cyprus News. During that time, she also travelled extensively throughout the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean. In 2000, after a few years back at the Calgary Herald, she left Alberta for Ontario, and was hired by The Globe and Mail newspaper. During her 20 years at the Globe she was highly regarded for her copy editing, page layout and story assigning skills. She spent her last years at the Globe working on special sections as a project manager. In that job she developed a particular expertise in finding and developing stories about commercial real estate and architecture.

In retirement, Chris devoted her efforts to two great passions. She loved to garden and she loved to walk the beautiful Ajax waterfront with her beloved dogs — first Bear and later Lido.

She was predeceased by her parents, Rose and Steve Mushka, and by her brother, Bob (Karen).
Chris is survived by her longtime partner, Peter Bakogeorge, and their children, Alethea and Alexander. She is also survived by her sister, Isabelle Lott, (George) of Grand Rapids, Mich., and by Peter’s siblings and their spouses. She will also be remembered by many cousins, nieces and nephews across Canada and in the U.S.

At her request, a private celebration of life will be held in the summer.