HARDING Christine A. 52, of Wellesley, Massachusetts passed away Thursday evening July 8th, 2021 after a long and courageous battle with lung cancer. Whether it was enduring one of the three clinical trials or the more traditional treatments of chemotherapy and radiation, Chrissy took it on with grace and style and never a complaint. Her desire to share her experiences was well chronicled in her CaringBridge posts. This journal was enjoyed by thousands of people over the past five years and will continue to be a part of her enduring legacy for years to come.
Chrissy was born on February 2, 1969 in Wilkes Barre, PA to her loving parents, Tom and Josephine Medico. From the first day, her spirit and zest for life was apparent whether at the dinner table or playing with friends. She was not known to be shy or quiet. As a matter of fact, her twin brother Philip nicknamed her “lungs” at a very early age due to her loud and constant banter.
Chrissy was a joy to all that had the pleasure of knowing her. She brought laughter and light to all her family and friends.
Chrissy attended Scranton Preparatory School where she made lifelong friends. She often looked back at her time at Prep with great fondness. She commented on what a transformative time in her life this was. She enjoyed the academics but more importantly, she learned lifelong lessons on how to study and developed perseverance and commitment in her day-to-day life. These lessons were with her through her final day.
Upon graduation from the University of Scranton, Chrissy pursued a successful career in healthcare administration. She began her career at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Northeast Pennsylvania, eventually finding a home at Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare in Massachusetts. She truly enjoyed not just the work, but the friendships she made along the way.
In 1991 Chrissy met her future husband, Chris Harding of Waverly, PA. It was love at first sight for both. After a two-year courtship, they were married in June of 1993 which began a long and wonderful 28-year marriage.
Chris and Chrissy began their married life by moving to Boston, Massachusetts where they eventually welcomed and raised two children, Tommy and Meagan. They were her joy and her passion from the day they were born. No one could ask for a more supportive or loving mother than Chrissy. Their joys were her joys. Their challenges were her challenges. She never wavered and always had a supportive hand and tone for her two adored children.
Throughout her life Chrissy focused on the things that she held most dear: her family, her faith and her friends. Everything she did was guided by a desire to spend time with and nurture these relationships.
Her faith was incredibly important to her, especially when she became ill. Her faith sustained her during some dark and trying times and allowed her to shine when others were sad with her prognosis. Chrissy never once let it get her down or depressed. She focused on the positive and making the most out of life while spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed countless trips to Pennsylvania and the Jersey Shore (her happy place) to visit family gave her the quality time she was looking for.
When asked by her Pastor at St. John’s if she would be interested in attending a certificate program at Boston College to give homilies at the children’s mass, Chrissy eagerly accepted the opportunity, which gave her yet another outlet to practice her faith and share her passion with the community she loved so deeply.
In her final days, Chrissy remained positive and in charge. Her need to plan and organize shined through as she gave out instructions for her funeral arrangements to her children, her mother and Chris right up until the end. It was classic Chrissy and was appreciated by all.
Although Chrissy has left this world, her light will continue to shine every day. Through her family and friends, we will keep her memory and her spirit alive and with us. She was truly an impactful person who left a very positive and enduring impression on all those she met. She will be sorely missed.
Chrissy is survived by her husband Chris, her children Tommy and Meagan, her parents Tom and Josephine Medico of Shavertown, PA, her brother Philip and Renee Medico of Clarks Summit, PA, her sister Wynn and Joe Nardone Jr. of Dallas, PA, her sister Kelly and Joe Syernick of Chester Springs, PA, her father-in-law Tom and Carol Harding of Sun City Center, FL, her brother-in-law Tom and Dana Harding of Wesley Chapel, FL, and her brother-in-law Tim & Denise Harding of Clarks Summit, PA. She is also survived by twelve nieces and nephews.
A wake will be held for family and friends from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. on Wednesday July 14th, 2021 at the George F. Doherty & Sons Funeral Home located at 477 Washington Street Wellesley, MA 02482. A funeral mass will be held at St. John The Evangelist Parish at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 15th, 2021. The church is located at 9 Glen Road in Wellesley, MA 02481. A reception for family and friends will follow at Wellesley Country Club located at 300 Wellesley Avenue Wellesley Hills, MA 02481.
One of Chrissy’s final wishes was that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in support of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. This can be done by donating to the Pan Mass Challenge and her husband Chris’s ride this year. Both Chris & Chrissy have been very involved in supporting this worthy cause since her diagnosis in 2016.
Donations may be made online using the following link:
https://donate.pmc.org/CH0241.
Checks may be mailed to the following address:
PMC HQ address for special handling checks:
Christopher Harding CH0241
Pan-Mass Challenge
77 Fourth Ave.
Needham, MA 02494