Christie A. Boulding, 58, died unexpectedly Wednesday, September 22, 2010 in Wayland, Massachusetts.
She was born October 1, 1951 in Ann Arbor, Michigan the only daughter of Kenneth and Elise (Biorn-Hansen) Boulding. She was known as “the pickle in the middle” in the family of two older and two younger brothers. She moved with her family to Boulder, Colorado in 1967 where she was often involved in Quaker work camp service projects and on the ski slopes during her high school years.
A lifelong history buff, Christie graduated in 1973 from the University of Colorado with a membership in the senior women’s honors society and a degree in history. She spent several college summers in County Kildare, Ireland with the Guinness historical project to save Castletown House, one of the county’s great houses.
Christie met the love of her life, Greg Graham, in 1975. They married in Norwich, Vermont in 1981 and the family moved to Wayland in 1985. Greg, Christie’s husband of 31 years, died in February 2010 after a short battle with lung cancer.
Gracefully combining career and motherhood, Christie completed her MBA in Finance from Simmons College in 1981 and became involved in her daughters school PTO, Girl Scouts and athletics – as well as her husbands passions for boats and sailing. Family sailing trips in the British Virgin Islands were favorite vacations for years. Christie’s professional career spanned from her appointment at Bank of Boston to her long held positions as Chief Financial Officer of Graham Contracting of Wayland. They worked together for many years, specializing in green residential and commercial renovations and their company gained a wide reputation for its innovative employee partnering management style.
Christie had and adventurous spirit – archeological dives in her youth gave way to her passion for travel, reading and gardening. A dream trip to Italy with her husband in 2000 and a June 2010 cruise through Italy and the Riviera satisfied her love of history and art.
She was active in the Wellesley Friends Meeting for many years and served as a Clerk of the meeting.
Christie is survived by her daughters Meredith Elizabeth Graham of New York City and Emily Barbara Graham of Wayland. She is also survived by four devoted brothers; Russell of Bloomington, Indiana; Mark of Englewood, Colorado; Philip of Olalla, Washington and William of Durham, North Carolina. Seventeen nieces and nephews, as well as six cousins, will also miss her. Christie also leaves behind her dearest friend, Hope Morrissett of Boulder, Colorado.
A Quaker memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 2:00 pm at the Wellesley Friends Meeting House, 26 Benvenue Street, Wellesley.
Friends who wish may make contributions to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 10 Brookline Place West, 6th Floor, Brookline, MA 02445, ATTN: Contribution Service, in memory of Christie Boulding and Greg Graham.
Arrangements entrusted to the care of the John C. Bryant Funeral Home of Wayland. On-line condolences may be offered at www.johncbryantfuneralhome.com.