Christine Mary Summers

Christine Mary Summers, a painter of flowers and ocean scenes through watercolors, has gently laid down her brushes and palette. Her hands, once so adept at creativity and selflessly giving to others, are now at rest, but her legacy of artistry will live on. Her paintings were inspired by the colorful life she lived. She was wonderfully caring and vivacious, had a wicked sense of humor, and she loved to laugh and sing.

She was born on December 14, 1946, in Albany, NY, to Helen and Francis Nerf. Christine graduated from Spencer Business School and worked at Callanan Industries for many years. She met and married Raymond Summers, and together they had six children whom she loved and cherished very much. She shared her creativity with them and taught them that every life is valuable, no matter one’s color, race, orientation, or abilities. She showed them the importance of responsibility, honesty, and kindness.

Besides giving to her children, she constantly gave freely of herself to others. She volunteered at the Rotterdam Girl’s Club, taught Sunday School, sang in several church choirs, and served as a fireman and fire police chief for the Quaker Street Fire Department. She also volunteered as an EMT for the Duanesburg Ambulance Corp.

When Christine loved to do something, she did it all the way. She loved to bake, so she sold goods at the local Gibby’s Diner. When her children were young, she made a gingerbread house every year for Christmas. She loved being creative, so she refurbished the dining room and living room. She loved to paint, so she painted, and painted, and painted some more—then sold her paintings in their art gallery in Rockport, MA. She also took classes to expand her painting knowledge and techniques. She loved to challenge herself, so she ran for County Clerk. While living in New Mexico, she worked as an accountant and handled the website for her beloved church, Fellowship of Spirit. She even went back to college to take creative writing classes at San Juan Community College.

Christine loved to spend time with her best friend, Rob. They were roommates for more than 15 years and did everything together. She especially loved going on trips and to concerts with him. She cherished the holidays when she and Rob would host dinner for their wonderful friends. In all these experiences, Christine made friends wherever she went. She was loved by family and friends. While living in New Mexico, far from her family, she built new relationships and found a second “family” with her close friends there.

Christine was preceded in death by her son, Raymond “Ray-Ray” Summers; her parents, Helen and Francis Nerf; and her brothers, Francis Nerf and Robert Nerf.

She is survived by her life companion, Robert Oddo; her daughters, Tammie Camozzato and husband Daniel, SueAnn Summers Griessler and husband Dave (deceased), Rachael “Rae” Summers-Thompson and husband Dennis “Ray,” and Rebecca Summers-MaGann and husband Kevin; and her son, Jonathan Summers and partner Jennifer Scott.

She is also survived by her sisters, Deborah Stewart and husband Frank, and Nadine Janetsky and husband Art; and her brothers, Gregory Nerf and wife Cindy, and Donald Nerf and wife Deborah.

Christine will be lovingly remembered by her grandchildren: Michelle Kulp and husband Tyler, Megan Pomposello, Roger Pomposello, Jr., Christine Bell and partner Trevor Syron, Justin Thompson and wife Kelsie, Dennis “Denny” Thompson and wife Danielle, Steven Petramale and wife Jasmine, James “Dillon” Thompson and wife Kaitlin “Madison,” Mary Margaret “Maggie” Huezo and husband Francisco, and Brett Thompson.

She also leaves behind her great-grandchildren: Olivia Bell; Eliott and Sophia Petramale; Lane and Wade Thompson; Landon, Adam, Mason, Max, Evan, Olivia Grace, Sophia, and Waylon Thompson; Weston and Jackson Thompson; and Josiah, Lincoln, and Osikah “Osi” Huezo.

A memorial service will be held in New Mexico at 2:00 PM on April 5, 2025, at Fellowship of Spirit, 2009 E Thirteenth Street, Farmington, NM. 

The family will be holding a private celebration of life in New York.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Fellowship of Spirit at 2009 E. Thirteenth Street, Farmington, NM, (505)326-5103.