Christine A. Duvall

In Loving Memory of Christine DuVall

...with eulogy by Karen Mager

Local 387 regrets to report the passing of Chris DuVall. Chris retired as a hi-lo driver on the 2^ndshift. As a very active & devoted union member, she was the chairperson of the Local 387 Union Label Committee. She also dedicated many hours of labor to the annual 'Marine Corps Toys for Tots Campaigns'. Deepest condolences to the DuVall family upon the passing of their loved one, and ours.

Obituary: DuVall, Christine A. Age 55. September 16, 2006 of Newport. Beloved wife of Gary M. DuVall. Loving mother of 4 son's Jonathan (Renee) DuVall of Temperance, MI, Joshua DuVall of Canton, MI, Curtis(Shelly) DuVall of Rockwood, MI, Gary DuVall of Columbia, SC and 1 daughter April New of Flat Rock, MI. Grandmother of 4. Sister of Richard New of Livonia, MI and James (Marreen) New of Dearborn, MI. She was preceded in death by her parents Richard and Helen(nee Anderson) New. Christine died at Henry Ford Wyandotte Hospital, she had been ill for 3 years. Christine belonged to UAW Local #387 where she was very active. She graduated from Garden City East High School in 1969 and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She was employed with The Ford Motor Company Woodhaven Stamping Plant as a hi-lo driver.

Obituary Page

EULOGY

I read of a man who stood to speak
At the funeral of a friend
He referred to the dates on her tombstone
From the beginning…to the end.

He noted that first came her date of birth
And spoke the ending date with tears
But he said what mattered most of all
Was the dash between those years. (1951-2006)

For that dash represents all the time
That she spent alive on earth
And now only those who loved her
Know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own;
The cars…the house…the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard…
Are there things you’d like to change?
For you never know how much time is left,
That can still be rearranged.

If we could just slow down enough
To consider what’s true and real,
And always try to understand
The way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger,
And show appreciation more
And love the people in our lives
Like we’ve never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect,
And more often wear a smile...
Remembering that this special dash
Might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy’s being read
With your life’s actions to rehash…
Would you be proud of the things they say
About how you spent your dash?

Well Chris spent her dash with fervor. Chris had no acquaintances. Once she met you, she knew you. And oh my gosh, you knew her! She is a hippie, an activist, a feminist, a unionist, a protester, a fighter, and an advocate for the “little guy”. She is sincere, passionate, loyal, and opinionated. She is a friend, and a best friend to many. She is a granddaughter, daughter, sister, aunt, wife, mother, and the joy of her life, a nana.

Chris supported the Democratic Party many say to a fault. But that was Chris. She let you know how she stood on any issue. She supported her Union. She retired in 2004 but she never retired from her Union. (Mike would tell her “don’t they know you are retired”) She was at the Local once a week, when she was well enough to drive. She supported her union brothers and sisters in any way she could. She supported her friends and family. Whenever you were in trouble or needed to vent, she was in the car and by your side no matter what time it was. She supported Toys for Tots. Boy oh boy I worked with her many times on fundraisers for toys for tots and she yelled at me because I did something different than the way she would have done it. But I think her biggest passion was Buy Union, Buy American. I don’t have to tell any one of you how she feels about that.

Chris always fought the hard fights, unfortunately this time she picked one she couldn’t win. We love you, we admire you, we appreciate you, and we will never forget you. Goodbye girlfriend.