CHRISTIE, Dinah

Award winning (Actra, Gemini) star of stage and screen, actor, writer, director, singer, comedienne, passed away at Kensington Gardens in Toronto on Friday, April 10 at 5:45pm with her sister Fiona at her side. Dinah Barbara Christie was born in London, England (“during the Blitz”) as she was always quick to add. Her loving parents were well known actors Robert Christie and Margot (Syme) Christie. She leaves brothers David Christie, Matthew Christie, sisters Fiona Christie (Michael Robinson) and Gran Robinson. Sister Cedar Townsend Christie predeceased her. Dinah was a woman of great warmth, vitality, curiosity and generosity. In 1971 she left Toronto and moved to a 100 acre farm in Southgate (formerly Egremont) Township near the village of Holstein. She happily surrounded herself with a menagerie of horses, dogs, cats and whatever other creatures that happened to share her space. She and her partner, photographer and boat builder Robert (Bobby) Warren enjoyed many years together in their old log house. Often playing host to friends and families for evenings of music and fine dining. Dinah was very supportive of her community, hosting the annual fundraising radiothon for the Louise Marshall Hospital in the town of Mount Forest acting as auctioneer for the Durham Art Gallery’s art sale, encouraging local theatre groups (the Holstein Drama Group, the Community Players in Hanover, and the Grey Wellington Theatre Guild in Harriston). She also often performed with her band, her skill in telling stories delighting audiences everywhere. Dinah’s passions were the arts, the care of animals and the environment. (An early admirer of David Suzuki, she wrote a song about him.) If you wish to honour Dinah, please consider a donation to your local arts group, your local Humane Society or local tree planting group. More details may be found on Dinah Christie’s facebook page.