Christina Louise Mendoza

Christina Louise Harrington, 77, was welcomed to her Heavenly Home on Sunday, March 19th, 2023, by her adoring late husband, Bob who had patiently waited 4 years to reunite. Christina was lovingly welcomed to the world in Van Wert, Ohio on December 25, 1945, to father, John Warren Harrington of Youngstown, Ohio, and mother, Christina Elena Ross also of Van Wert, Ohio.
Christina is preceded in death by her husband Robert Joseph Mendoza, both parents, her great-granddaughter Ella Ruanne, her Step-daughter Lynn Adams, and her step-granddaughter, Christy Mendoza.

In 1966, Christina relocated to West Germany for a year with her then-husband, Mark Bolenbaugh, by way of the U.S. Military. While stationed overseas, she gave birth to their daughter, Suzanne Elizabeth. When they returned stateside, Christina and her family traveled back home to Van Wert for 6 years during which they were also joined by a son, Ryan Curtis.

The family of four then moved to Laramie, Wyoming where Christina fondly spent over 28 years of her life. During her time there, Christina spent a portion of her life working hard as a single mother while studying Communications as well as working in Registration at the University of Wyoming. In the late 1980s, while working at UW, she met Robert Mendoza with whom she fell madly in love. On July 7th, 1990, Chris and Bob were happily wed surrounded by their family and friends. While in Laramie, she remained involved in her community as a proud member of the Ladies Auxiliary, VFW Club, American Legion, and Moose Lodge.

At the end of the 1990s, Christina and Bob fulfilled a post-retirement dream of moving somewhere warm and spent the next couple of decades living in Alamogordo, New Mexico. Christina and Bob spent their time together indulging in their love of travel and did so as often as they could.
After Robert passed away in February 2019, Christina spent a few years navigating life alone and traversed some health concerns. In 2022, though heartbroken to leave New Mexico, she relocated her final year to Kingsport, Tennessee by way of a cross-country road trip with two of her grandchildren. Chris was able to spend the last year back near and under the protective eye of her daughter, Suzanne. Christina was happy to spend some time closer to family, try some new foods and make a new space her own.

Christina is survived by her daughter Suzanne (Gary) Manson of Mount Carmel, Tennessee, and Ryan (Rachel) Bolenbaugh of Colorado. Christina also left behind in mourning her grandchildren Chauntel / Niki (Louis) Papallo of Connecticut, Aubree (Kevin) Dumas of North Dakota, Brandon Ebbeka and Dustin Ebbeka of Tennessee, Shannon, Curtis, Avery, and Mayah Bolenbaugh of Colorado. Christina will also be missed by her Great-Grandchildren Aidian, Kaleb, and Elijah of Connecticut and Dean, Landon, Oliver, and Jude of North Dakota. She is survived by her loving siblings; a brother, John (Tamara) Harrington of Colorado, and a sister, Linda Harrington Allen of Texas. Christina is also survived by her Step-Son Daniel (Marinel) Mendoza of Utah, Step- Daughter Cindy Murry (Bob) of Minnesota, and Step-Daughter Vicky (Glen) Mendoza also of Minnesota. She had a deep love for her 3 Granddaughters, 5 Grandsons, 7 Great-Grandsons, a handful of nieces, nephews, and greats, many loving Mendoza family members, plus numerous more who became family over the years.
Christina wished to be remembered in health and laughter, so her family continues to ask that you celebrate her life in your own way, every single day. Her remains will be peacefully laid in her final resting place alongside her husband Bob at Veterans Memorial Park in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico on a later date.
Trinity Memorial Centers Funeral Home (423-723-8177) is honored to serve the Mendoza family.