Christiana Fink, enjoyed crocheting, cooking
Christiana Fink, nee Bitterer, 81, of Milton, formerly of Shokan and Ridgewood, N.Y., departed this earth Tuesday, July 16, 2024, with family by her side after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Christl, as she was known to her family and friends, was born Feb. 19, 1943, to Karl and Anna Bitterer in Vienna, Austria, in the midst of World War II.
Her early life was punctuated by trips to the basement of their apartment building as air raid sirens wailed outside. Her childhood experiences growing up in wartime and then occupied Austria formed many of the thrifty traits she exuded throughout her life.
She attended primary school in Vienna and went on to complete a commercial secretarial program in high school. Upon completion of her formal education in 1960 at 17, Christl left Austria for the United States, landing in Queens, N.Y., where she held various occupations.
It was at the Gottscheer Hall in Ridgewood, N.Y., that Christl met Josef Fink, whom she married Feb. 24, 1962, after a whirlwind courtship. Joe and Christl were each other's best friend, working hand in hand and side by side for 58 years until Joe's passing in 2020. In 1974, they began building their home in upstate New York. Working weekends, Joe and Christl labored for eight years, building and meticulously landscaping their home, all the while without a mortgage. In 2016, they relocated to Milton, Delaware to take advantage of the mild climate and simplify their living arrangements.
Christl was known for her fabulous meals, wonderful desserts, and her homemade stuffing. Oma's house always had a marble cake or nut cake on hand for the grandchildren when they came over. Christl's trip to the grocery store included all the essentials, there was nothing purchased in a box!
In her spare time, Christl enjoyed crocheting afghans in many shapes, sizes, and patterns, tending to her plants, and reading. Additionally, Christl and Joe enjoyed dancing the polka. She also enjoyed the various feline companions she had throughout her life.
In addition to her parents and husband, Christl was predeceased by her stepmother, Irma Bitterer.
Christl is survived by her son, Frank Fink (Joanne); and daughter, Elisabeth Dean (John); her grandchildren, James Fink (Laura), Erika Fink (Corey Upright), Thomas Fink (Briana) and Christopher Dean; her half-brother, Helmut Bitterer; four great-grandchildren, Sadie Fink, Lillian Fink, Shea Fink and Mae Fink; and her feline companion, Mr. Fuzzy Butt.
Private burial and graveside services will be held at Ashokan Rural Cemetery in upstate New York.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, Delaware Hospice, or Brandywine SPCA.
Visit Christl's Life Memorial at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
