Date of Birth: March 20, 1928
Date of Death: February 17, 2026
Christine Waldbauer was born near Killaly, SK, on March 20, 1928, the year that Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin, Walt Disney introduced Mickey Mouse, and 3M gave us Scotch tape.
Christine went to Wallacetown School and completed Grade 8. At a young age, her grandmother died, and Christine was pressed into service to cook and clean for her grandfather in addition to attending school.
Late in her teens, Christine moved to Melville, SK, where she worked first as a caregiver for her sister Helen, then became a waitress at the local “beanery”, the train station restaurant used by CN crews and passengers, operating during the era when Melville was a busy rail hub supporting transcontinental passenger service. While working at the beanery, she met Alvin James (Jim) Chapman, who worked at the local telegraph office. Christine and Jim were married and had one child, Herbert Murray Chapman, who was born in 1961.
Throughout her life, Christine worked at many Melville institutions – Sears (Harold Sears store), Nagler’s 5 and Dime, and Simpsons Sears catalogue office. She became involved with the Order of the Royal Purple (OORP), the women’s auxiliary of the Elks of Canada, where she went on to serve as Honoured Royal Lady. Through the OORP, Christine performed various acts of service to the Melville community, including volunteering at St. Paul Lutheran Home.
Following James’s death to cancer in 1974, Christine eventually entered a relationship with Nick Harry Parachoniak, whom she knew through the Elks organization. Christine and Harry were married and went on to spend over 25 years together before Harry passed in 2017.
In 2003, Christine’s sister, Helena Schofer (Helen), passed away. Helen’s passing left a huge gap in Christine’s life. In addition to being sisters, the two were best friends, and Christine never recovered from losing her. In 2019, Christine gave up her home on 7th Avenue, where she had lived most of her adult life, and moved into Cumberland Villas (formerly Caleb). While at Cumberland, Christine was involved in their community activities, including daily coffee with friends, cards three times a week, and bingo. In June of 2025, it was determined that Christine needed more care than Cumberland could provide and was moved to Yorkton Crossing, a residence that could provide the “assisted living” she required. In January of 2026, after multiple falls, Christine was admitted to St. Peter’s Hospital in Melville, where she was assessed and moved to long-term care in St. Paul Lutheran Home in early February, where she lived out the remainder of her life. Christine passed on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026, just 32 days short of her 98th birthday.
Christine was predeceased by her mother, Karoline (Markwart); father, Gottfried; brothers, Ernie, Gustav, Herbert, Wilfred and August; sister, Mary (Yeadon); beloved sister, Helen; husband, Alvin, James Chapman; and second husband, Nick Harry Parachoniak.
Christine is survived by son, Murray and daughter-in-law Wendy of Sherwood Park, AB.
Christine’s funeral service was held on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026, at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Melville, with Deacon Kevin Prouten officiating. Interment was in Melville City Cemetery.
Funeral arrangements were entrusted to Matthews Funeral Home, Melville.
