Christine Constance Brandes

With overwhelming sorrow, I must announce that Chris has passed. Christine Constance Liman Brandes succumbed to pancreatic cancer on 03 April, 2025. She was born on 31 August 1950 in Flushing, New York to parents Norman and Florence Liman. She is survived by her husband, Ronald Brandes, and sister, Lisa Shavers. We met in 1970 at the University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri as art students. Our attraction to each other was immediate and our marriage was pronounced on 27 May 1972.

From student, to life partner, to awarded artist, Christine lived a very full life. In addition to her lifelong passion for art, she was a cherished volunteer at the Missouri Animal Rescue Center. She later earned her MBA from SIUE, working as a banker and a stock broker. Her love for traveling took her throughout the world. In her most recent years, she was an active Aldea HOA Board member.

Chris and I have lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for 13 years, where she has continued to practice her art, developed a green thumb in her high desert garden, and further enriched her love for animals. A sarcastic wordsmith, Chrissy will forever be known as a well-versed conversationalist. Her intelligence and passion for engaging with others, along with her witty sense of humor, will leave an impact on all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Chrissy was a believer in the power of her will and positivity. She was a lover of the surreal, enamored by intellectual sci-fi. She was an enigma - an unquestionably brilliant woman who still lost her glasses on a regular basis.

Through it all she was a friend and neighbor to many. Via serendipity and her generous caring for others, she became enriched. With a pirate's smile, she never took for granted the importance of love shared or her incredible good fortune to be surrounded by so many wonderful people.

In recent years many of our dear friends have passed leaving her with a life’s lesson she would certainly share with you: Worry kills. A smile renews.

Chris was always thankful for a community of family, friends, and cats, which she found to be more loving and enriching to her than words can express. There will be no formal service. Please remember her kindly.