Christina Patykewich Offenberg

MARION, Va.

Christina Patykewich Offenberg age 77, passed away Sunday, March 5, 2023 at her home surrounded by family.

Christina was raised in Newport, RI. She married Jerome Offenberg and the Navy sent them around the country, finally settling in the DC area. She loved to return for visits to New England, especially Newport and Maine. However, her love of the mountains eventually brought her to join her daughter in Marion where she lived out the remainder of her life. Christina lived and loved life. In everything, she trusted God, had amazing faith and always a larger than life smile. She adored her family – raised her kids while pursuing her Interior Design degree, all the while coaching her children in sports, being a boy & girl scout leader, volunteering for all of the school activities and being the overall “Fun” mom for all family and friends. Through the years, she was the glue that kept her family together. Her mere presence made you feel like everything was going to be okay. Christina was a self-taught handyman, and an artist at heart. She loved wood working, painting, construction, and rocks. Christina collected rocks everywhere she went. She was a caregiver, and hospital volunteer. Although she traveled around the world, she kept her feet on the ground. Christina was a life influencer way before Instagram & Tik-Tok. She kept her family entertained and solid. Christina was an incredibly strong and determined person who battled and beat cancer for over 40 years. No matter what was thrown at her, she persevered with that big smile, and an attitude that nobody would dictate how she would live her life. She truly did things her way! As a mom, granny and friend – Christina rocked.

Christina is survived by her daughter, Christie Wolfe (Carl Cox) of Marion, Va.; sons, Eric Offenberg (Cris) of Middleton, RI., Keith Offenberg (Dawn) and Todd Patykewich (Liz), all of Dumfries, Va.; brother, Andrew Patykewich of Vero Beach, Fla.; eleven grandchildren, Caitlin, Tyler, Nate, Tori, Harrison, Ashley, Will, Nik, Lilly, Maddy, and Joe; two great-grandchildren, Amelia and Samuel; nieces, Leslie and Erika; and her devoted dog, Pepper.

Special thank you to the staff of Abingdon Cancer Center, Smyth County Community Hospital nursing staff, and Hospice of Southwest Virginia for their care and kindness.

The family will receive friends Thursday, March 9, 2023 from 5 until 7 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church, 115 South Church Street, Marion, Va. Funeral services will begin at 7 p.m. with the Reverend Dr. James Bennington officiating.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider the following: donations to the First United Methodist Church, 115 South Church Street, Marion VA 24354; Smyth County Animal Rescue c/o Smyth County Humane Society, P.O. Box 1124, Marion, VA 24354 or online; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38015.

Family and friends are encouraged to bring a rock (of manageable size) to the service. A memory garden of rocks will be created from the rocks you bring and the rocks she picked up along the way.

To share memories of Christina Patykewich Offenberg , please visit www.seaverbrown.com. Care for Christina’s family has been entrusted to Seaver-Brown Funeral Service & Crematory, 237 East Main Street, Marion, Va. 24354.