Obituary for Christine M. Twyon (O'Neil)
TWYON, Christine M. (O’Neil) of Medford passed away peacefully on January 27, 2023, surrounded by her loving family and her treasured dog, Nike. Christine, or Chris/Mom/Mimi/Ma as she was affectionately known to all, was born in Everett Mass to the late James A. O’Neil and Louise I. Corbett in December, 1946.
Chris lived most of her life on Woods Road in Medford, graduating from Medford High School and then Salem State College with a degree in teaching. She enjoyed teaching elementary school, but decided to stay home when she started a family. She loved being home and raising her children. But she missed teaching, and so began a pre-school that she successfully ran out of her home for 23 years. She was also a Campfire Troop leader for many years, and is still known as Mrs. T. to the girls in her troop. Through her creative mind for teaching, she would find fun ways to spend time with her children and grandchildren. One special activity was making Christmas tree ornaments – with pictures, old cards, something memorable from the year. These ornaments are still used on her family’s Christmas trees decades later.
Chris’s faith in God was portrayed in how she lived her life. She strongly believed in allowing her children to be themselves, develop their own faith and problem-solving skills. Allowing those she loved to live, learn and fail, while always having their backs has served her family well.
Chris loved to be involved in her family’s lives and could often be found attending baseball and hockey games, gymnastics, skating and cross country meets, drama performances, art displays and corn hole fundraisers. Spending time with her grandchildren brought her so much joy – chatting with Meghan, doing puzzles with Caitlin, watching Jeopardy with Matthew – the little day to day things that were so important to her. She couldn’t have been prouder of them.
Chris was a huge fan of the Boston sports teams and was lucky enough to cheer them on to many championships over the years. She would put on her favorite Red Sox or Patriots sweatshirt and cheer for the good guys – that often ended with a – “that was a good play, right?”
On nice weather days she enjoyed sitting in her backyard, reading and gardening while watching the simple displays of nature being exhibited. She soaked up the sun, its warmth and the peace it gave her. She loved to show off the flowers in her garden and annual shopping at the garden center always broke the bank! Her neighbors were sure to see her sitting on her porch with an animal by her side, and she was always looking forward to neighborhood chats.
Chris’s love for animals and cats was only exceeded by a love found later in life. A Golden Retriever puppy was brought into the family for her son Jeff when he was a teenager. Rocket quickly won her heart, and the rest is history – there has been a dog by her side since. Her four Golden Retrievers: Rocket, Burghley, Molly and Casey all are awaiting her at Rainbow Bridge, along with the cats and bunnies that she had throughout her life. Chris’s current dog Nike, a rescue from Texas has been a blessing to her. She is his person, and he will miss her dearly.
Next to her love for family and her pets was Hampton Beach. The tradition of summer vacation at Hampton Beach began with her parents when she was young. This tradition continued through the generations, and she passed along her love of the ocean to her family. On Earth, her heaven was the waves on her feet, wind in her hair, sun on her skin and seeing the smiles of family enjoying the same love she had. Happy as can be - she would spend the whole day by the water, sitting in her high seat beach chair with her signature beach hat, SPF clothing and can of Coca-Cola. A perfect day at Hampton was complete with music at the bandstand, Wednesday night fireworks, Skee-ball and pinball at the ‘penny’ arcades, a soft serve ice cream cone and chocolate fudge on the Hampton Beach boardwalk. Anyone with her learned to expect a long trip back to the beach house, as she had to stop and pet any dog that walked by.
She leaves behind an infinite number of smiles, memories, love, lessons, hugs, faith, kisses, animal belly rubs, inspiration and strength to her family. She taught us well.
Beloved mother of Melissa Conroy and her husband William of Medford, Jeffrey Twyon of Stoneham, and Maria Twyon of Melrose. Cherished grandmother of Meghan, Caitlin, and Matthew Conroy. Dear sister of Donald O’Neil of Westford, and predeceased by sister Carole Chiavelli, and brothers James and Stephen O’Neil. Also survived by her former husband Brent Twyon of Stoneham and her father-in-law David Sargent of New London, NH. She will be greatly missed by her sister-in-law Barbara O’Neil of Bedford and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visiting hours will be held at the Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St. (Rte. 38) WINCHESTER on Tuesday, January 31st from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Raphael’s Church, 512 High Street, Medford on Wednesday, February 1st at 9:30am. Relatives and friends are kindly asked to attend. Interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue www.ygrr.org – an organization near and dear to her heart.
Chris lived most of her life on Woods Road in Medford, graduating from Medford High School and then Salem State College with a degree in teaching. She enjoyed teaching elementary school, but decided to stay home when she started a family. She loved being home and raising her children. But she missed teaching, and so began a pre-school that she successfully ran out of her home for 23 years. She was also a Campfire Troop leader for many years, and is still known as Mrs. T. to the girls in her troop. Through her creative mind for teaching, she would find fun ways to spend time with her children and grandchildren. One special activity was making Christmas tree ornaments – with pictures, old cards, something memorable from the year. These ornaments are still used on her family’s Christmas trees decades later.
Chris’s faith in God was portrayed in how she lived her life. She strongly believed in allowing her children to be themselves, develop their own faith and problem-solving skills. Allowing those she loved to live, learn and fail, while always having their backs has served her family well.
Chris loved to be involved in her family’s lives and could often be found attending baseball and hockey games, gymnastics, skating and cross country meets, drama performances, art displays and corn hole fundraisers. Spending time with her grandchildren brought her so much joy – chatting with Meghan, doing puzzles with Caitlin, watching Jeopardy with Matthew – the little day to day things that were so important to her. She couldn’t have been prouder of them.
Chris was a huge fan of the Boston sports teams and was lucky enough to cheer them on to many championships over the years. She would put on her favorite Red Sox or Patriots sweatshirt and cheer for the good guys – that often ended with a – “that was a good play, right?”
On nice weather days she enjoyed sitting in her backyard, reading and gardening while watching the simple displays of nature being exhibited. She soaked up the sun, its warmth and the peace it gave her. She loved to show off the flowers in her garden and annual shopping at the garden center always broke the bank! Her neighbors were sure to see her sitting on her porch with an animal by her side, and she was always looking forward to neighborhood chats.
Chris’s love for animals and cats was only exceeded by a love found later in life. A Golden Retriever puppy was brought into the family for her son Jeff when he was a teenager. Rocket quickly won her heart, and the rest is history – there has been a dog by her side since. Her four Golden Retrievers: Rocket, Burghley, Molly and Casey all are awaiting her at Rainbow Bridge, along with the cats and bunnies that she had throughout her life. Chris’s current dog Nike, a rescue from Texas has been a blessing to her. She is his person, and he will miss her dearly.
Next to her love for family and her pets was Hampton Beach. The tradition of summer vacation at Hampton Beach began with her parents when she was young. This tradition continued through the generations, and she passed along her love of the ocean to her family. On Earth, her heaven was the waves on her feet, wind in her hair, sun on her skin and seeing the smiles of family enjoying the same love she had. Happy as can be - she would spend the whole day by the water, sitting in her high seat beach chair with her signature beach hat, SPF clothing and can of Coca-Cola. A perfect day at Hampton was complete with music at the bandstand, Wednesday night fireworks, Skee-ball and pinball at the ‘penny’ arcades, a soft serve ice cream cone and chocolate fudge on the Hampton Beach boardwalk. Anyone with her learned to expect a long trip back to the beach house, as she had to stop and pet any dog that walked by.
She leaves behind an infinite number of smiles, memories, love, lessons, hugs, faith, kisses, animal belly rubs, inspiration and strength to her family. She taught us well.
Beloved mother of Melissa Conroy and her husband William of Medford, Jeffrey Twyon of Stoneham, and Maria Twyon of Melrose. Cherished grandmother of Meghan, Caitlin, and Matthew Conroy. Dear sister of Donald O’Neil of Westford, and predeceased by sister Carole Chiavelli, and brothers James and Stephen O’Neil. Also survived by her former husband Brent Twyon of Stoneham and her father-in-law David Sargent of New London, NH. She will be greatly missed by her sister-in-law Barbara O’Neil of Bedford and many loving nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Visiting hours will be held at the Lane Funeral Home, 760 Main St. (Rte. 38) WINCHESTER on Tuesday, January 31st from 4-7pm. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at St. Raphael’s Church, 512 High Street, Medford on Wednesday, February 1st at 9:30am. Relatives and friends are kindly asked to attend. Interment at Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford.
In lieu of flowers donation can be made to Yankee Golden Retriever Rescue www.ygrr.org – an organization near and dear to her heart.