Christine Anne McRae Heller

ESCANABA — Christine Anne McRae Heller, 91, of Escanaba, passed away early Thursday morning, August 29, 2024, at Cedar Hill Assisted Living in Bark River.

She was born on September 21, 1932 in Flint, Mich., daughter of George F. and Jean B. (Farmer) Simpson. Christine graduated from Flint Northern High School, class of 1950 and continued her education at Flint Junior College and Nazareth College in Kalamazoo (St. Joseph Hospital Unit Division of Nursing).

On June 4, 1955, the former Christine Simpson married Joseph N. Heller, Jr. They shared many years of marriage and were blessed with a family of six children together.

As a registered nurse, Christine worked in several roles over the years starting in 1978 at St. Francis Hospital as a registered nurse. She also worked in the OB and helped deliver many babies. In 1979 she began at Northwoods as their director of nursing and then returned to St. Francis Hospital in 1982 as the nursing supervisor. She later continued as the emergency department manager and then concluded her career with the hospital as manager of physician practices in 1991. She then became the nurse manager for the Michigan Masonic Home until retiring in 1995.

Following retirement, Christine continued to serve others. She was an active volunteer for the OSF St. Francis Hospital Auxiliary, was involved with the zoning board of appeals, and was active with the genealogy group working with county records. She enjoyed sewing, quilting, and knitting and loved to gift scarves and other items to her family and friends.

She is survived by her children, Joseph (Annette) Heller of Vulcan, Todd (MaryAnne) Heller of Mt. Pleasant, Andrew (Marcia) Heller of Grand Rapids, Bruce (Marje) Heller of Escanaba, and Jennifer Heller of Escanaba; special neighbor and family member, Steve Baumler; grandchildren, Elizabeth (RJ) Vasold, Michael (Jenna) Heller, Katelyn Heller, Sam Heller, Annie (Joe) Jackson, Henry Heller, Rachel (Brad) Robinson, Kelton Heller, Kelcey (Erik) Wetton, Travis (Liz Lektzian) Heller, Callie (Jon) Hornsby, and Brett Baumler; and great-grandchildren, Gracie and Owen Robinson, Liam and Jack Wetton, Andrew Vasold, and Layla and Beau Hornsby.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her son, Daniel Heller and former husband, Joseph Heller.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, September 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Crawford Funeral Homes, 302 S. 13th St., Escanaba. The Upper Peninsula Nurses Honor Guard will honor Christine’s years as a registered nurse at 4 p.m. and then the funeral service will immediately follow with Pastor Lewis Hague officiating.

Burial will take place in Lakeview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Christine’s family and donations will be distributed at a later date in her name.

A special thank you to the staff at Cedar Hill Assisted Living including Robbie Depuydt and U.P. Home Health and Hospice for the loving care that was provided to Christine. A message of condolence may be directed to the family by visiting www.crawfordfuneralhomes.net. The Crawford Funeral Homes are assisting the family.