Christine Ann Greene passed away at home on April 8 at the age of 79 in Indianapolis, IN. She was born on September 15, 1941 in Columbus, OH. Parents Richard and Irene Fetter raised her in Richwood, OH, as the eldest child among close knit sisters, Linda, Mary Jo, and Kathryn. The family was dedicated to community, education, and church, which persisted throughout Christine's life. Christine graduated from Richwood High School and went on to study at Otterbein University, where she developed lifelong friendships and embarked on a distinguished teaching career that spanned 41 years, including curriculum development for preschool and elementary education, with a special emphasis on gifted young students. She also devoted time to organizations such as the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and church activities such as Operation Friendship throughout her life and enjoyed participating in book clubs and exercise groups. She married Austin Greene in 1972 and they had two children, Meredith Greene (Brian Stechschulte) and Derek Greene (Ann Cox). Granddaughter Anona arrived in 2017. The Greene family would like to thank all of Christine's friends, colleagues, and extended family members for the love, support, and friendship she received during her wonderful life. A memorial will be announced and held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, her family asks that donations are made to an organization of your choice focused on empowering women or childhood education. In the meantime, the Greene family would like to celebrate Christine's life by sharing her own words and memories. In 2013, she reflected on her life, family, and career during her 50th Otterbein University Class Reunion:

1959-1963: "I was a 3rd generation student at Otterbein. I remember it being a big deal with pictures being taken of the family, which were used in publications. I worked for and with Lillian Frank for 3 years and had many wonderful experiences. Of course, we only earned 75 cents an hour back then. I learned a lot from her and have used that knowledge in many different ways over the years. Women's Glee Club was a big part of the Otterbein years and getting the chance to go on tour in New England and Florida. The friendships that have endured for over 50 years are probably my strongest memories. Many of these were solidified during our senior year living in Clip House. I feel that going to a liberal arts college enriched my life with knowledge and experiences that I have used over the years. I know it made me a better teacher. I am thankful that I was able to be in the once 'quiet, peaceful village', and to carry those memories with me the rest of my life."

1963-1967: "I taught Kindergarten at Tremont School in Upper Arlington and worked on my M.A. in Education at Ohio State University. I received my degree in 1966. The last year I was there I helped develop and teach a program for gifted 6th graders. The interest in gifted education began at this time."

1967-1982: "I moved to Wilmette, IL, to teach 2nd grade at Central School. Jan Knecht Black was involved with my meeting Austin. We were married in 1972. Meredith, an MD working in San Francisco, was born in 1977, and Derek, a naturalist and community event specialist in Cincinnati, was born in 1979. I was lucky enough to stay home after 15 years of teaching. It was a hectic time with young children, but I stayed sane by being involved in the AAUW and church activities at First United Methodist Church in Evanston, IL. I was ready for a break from teaching, although you're always teaching if you have young children. Austin was working at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary during this time. I traveled to Europe in 1967 and 1970 while I was single, and went the third time on our honeymoon in 1972."

1982-1992: "We lived in Worthington, Ohio. Austin was working at Methodist Theological School in Ohio. Our children were in the gifted program and I became involved with that educational community. I also took some gifted and talented classes from Ohio State and Ashland University. I was involved with children's activities at Worthington United Methodist Church, such as Choir Plus, Vacation Bible School, and Sunday School. I also did Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, etc. I taught at the Church of the Messiah in Westerville in their Ourday preschool for 5 years, teaching 4 and 5 year olds. It seems that I traveled in circles during my lifetime, as I lived in Westerville as an infant, went to Otterbein, and I was back doing some teaching there in the 1980's."

1992-Present: "We moved to Indianapolis twenty years ago where Austin took a job as a VP at Christian Theological Seminary. I found a wonderful teaching job in early childhood education at Sycamore School, a private school for academically gifted children. Gifted education has long been a part of my professional and personal life. I took courses in gifted and talented education at Purdue, wrote much of the early childhood curriculum and did many presentations at local, state and national gifted conferences. Early Childhood gifted programs are scarce in this country. I am enjoying my retirement from teaching in 2004 by being more involved with AAUW (lifelong support & service), reading when I want, doing story time at 4 Kids Books & Toys in Zionsville, IN, having lunch with friends, and visiting family and friends around the country."

Memorial services will be at 2 pm Sat. June 19, 2021 at St. Lukes' United Methodist Church, 100 W. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN 46260.

For those who cannot join in person the service will be live streamed: http://stlukesumc.com/funeral