Christy Sue Stueve, 73, of Philomath, Oregon, was ushered into her Savior’s arms on Feb. 5, 2024.
Christy was born on Feb. 22,1950 in Corvallis, Oregon, to Gordon Cleveland and Helen “Tudy” (Murdock) Cleveland. Her dad built a house on a country road in Blodgett, Oregon, where Christy and her four siblings were raised. Christy was a helpful, oldest daughter and a loving role model to her younger sisters and brothers.
In seventh grade, during square dance lessons in PE class, a boy named Chuck asked her to dance. The rest was history as they began dating. Throughout high school, Christy was Chuck’s biggest fan in the stands during his basketball games where she would keep his stats while cheering him on. The admiration was just as strong from Chuck to his sweetheart. While having no car, Chuck would hitchhike from Philomath to Blodgett just to spend as much time with Christy and her family as he could.
Just before Christy graduated from Philomath High School, she married her high school sweetheart, Charles “Chuck” Stueve on March 9,1968. A daughter, Heather, was born in October of 1969, followed by their son, Shane, in May of 1972. After several moves within the area, Chuck and Christy bought a house in Philomath in which to raise their two children. That family home succumbed to a house fire just before Christmas in 1991. Chuck and family rebuilt a beautiful home in its place where many memories are made to this day.
Christy was proud of making a warm and inviting home. She welcomed family and friends at any time with tea and goodies. These visits would include conversation, laughter and sometimes tears. She had a way of making people feel special and valued. She took joy in the little things. Daisies were her favorite flower, and could be found on many decorations within her home, or doodled on papers, in books and journals. It was common to receive a handwritten note or a little gift from Christy “just because.”
Christy started several traditions for her family to enjoy for many years. On her first Christmas as a newlywed, Christy invited her younger siblings over for “Cookie Day.” A memorable tradition that continued on with her own children, nieces, nephews and grandchildren for over 40 years.
Another treasured tradition has been dubbed Tea Time Tuesday. For over 20 years, every Tuesday, Christy, her daughter and granddaughters would get together for tea. This grew to include other members of her family and friends on occasion. Christy enjoyed this tradition even as her dementia advanced. Tea Time Tuesday lives on to this day, now in her honor.
Christy loved being a devoted wife, a caring mother and a very proud grandma and great-grandma. During any gathering that involved friends or family Christy could be heard exclaiming, “This is my kind a happy!”
Christy’s heart for people led her to volunteer at Good Samaritan hospital delivering magazines, drinks and treats while visiting with patients and their families. She also made treasured friendships through several Bible studies over the years. She took up painting scenes on old saw blades and pans in the 1980s and gifted many of her pieces to friends and family. She successfully sold her paintings at art shows as well as commissioned pieces. She loved God’s creation; the flowers, trees, birds and the stars. And her love for reading was evident by the several overflowing bookcases within her home. Although she never learned to read music, she could play her piano by ear. She enjoyed a peaceful worship song, a joyful tune or accompanying a grandchild as they played “Chopsticks.”
Christy was diagnosed in 2002 with a regressive eye disease that slowly took her sight. In 2014 she was also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Facing the reality of losing her sight as well as her mind, Christy handled her uncertain future with grace, and even joy. Her faith in Jesus Christ was her constant comfort and strength. When someone would casually ask her, “How are you?” She would reply, “I’m good! I have Jesus!” She was a prayer warrior; filling notebooks with lists of people and situations she was praying for. If you crossed her path, you were in her prayer journal. She looked forward to Heaven and wanted all of her friends and family there, so she readily shared her joy in her Savior with everyone.
Christy will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved her. She would readily share a smile, a hug and an “I love you.” Her influence and example, even until her passing, was great and far reaching.
Christy is survived by the love of her life for almost 56 years, Charles “Chuck” Stueve, who devotedly cared for her in their home until her peaceful passing. She is also survived by her children, Heather Kessi (Jim) and Shane Stueve (Nicole), her grandchildren, Hannah Bower (Isaiah), Brian Kessi (Megan), Emilie Gerig (Caleb), Sarah Bates (Jake), Cal Stueve (Beth) and Toben Stueve, and 13 great-grandchildren and counting. Also surviving are her siblings, Cindy Hilton (Jay), Tim Cleveland, Tammy St.Clair (Jerry), Tom Cleveland (Sheila), multiple nieces and nephews, and in-laws.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Helen “Tudy” Cleveland and her sister-in-law, Sandy Cleveland (Tim).
A viewing will be on Feb. 22, 2024 from 4-6 p.m. at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis Oregon. A Celebration of Christy’s Life will be on Feb. 23, 2024 at 2 p.m. at her beloved Blodgett Community Church in Blodgett, Oregon.
We encourage you to share a cup of tea with someone in honor of Christy’s joy and love for others. In lieu of flowers, financial donations can be made in Christy’s honor by writing a check to Peace Lutheran Church with Dementia Warriors/Christy Stueve in the memo. Checks can be sent to: Peace Lutheran Church, 2540 Applegate St., Philomath, OR 97370.