Christie Lichliter Alton, 83

July 26, 1940 - July 02, 2024

Christie Lichliter Alton, 83, of Lancaster, passed away peacefully Tuesday, July 2, 2024, at St. Anne’s Retirement Community, Columbia, PA, with her family at her side. She was the wife of Bruce T. Alton, with whom she shared 62 years of marriage, one son, and 10 dogs.

Christie was born July 26, 1940, in St. Louis, MO, to the late Rev. James M. Lichliter and the late Mary Jane Evans. She later became the stepdaughter of the late Marilyn Yeager Lichliter. Christie attended the John Burroughs School (St. Louis), Old Trail School (Akron, OH), and Ohio Wesleyan University, where she met her future husband. Their first date was a formal ROTC ball, a picture of which Bruce still carries in his wallet. They wed August 25, 1962.

A few years after their son, Jamie, was born, Christie and Bruce served as head residents of a men’s dormitory at Ohio Wesleyan. Amidst the turbulence of the Vietnam draft and Kent State, they forged lifelong friendships with the resident advisors. They have gathered the Bashford crew together every five years since 1976.

The family moved to Billings, MT, in 1971, where Bruce took a job at Rocky Mountain College. Christie’s happiest and most fulfilling professional years were spent as the reference librarian at the college. She had a beautiful soprano voice, loved to sing, and appeared in Brigadoon at Billings Studio Theater, inspiring Jamie’s love of music and theater. She was active in the Billings Junior League and served as its president.

After Bruce and Christie moved to Fairfax, VA, in 1986, Christie’s love of books led her to obtain a master’s degree in library science from Catholic University of America. She worked as a corporate library consultant in the Washington, DC, area, with clients including Exxon, General Dynamics, and Verizon. Christie and Bruce moved to Lancaster in 2008 to be near their grandchildren.

Christie’s favorite place on earth was Glen Lake, MI, site of family vacations since 1947. She loved its beautiful crystal-clear waters and quiet serenity.

Ten dogs adopted by Christie and Bruce hit the owner jackpot. A long line of collies and then shelties became her constant companions: Pappy, Punkin, MacDuff, Chelsea, Kelsey, Molly, Corky, Cini, Dusty, and Soli.

Surviving beside her husband are a son, James T. Alton, married to Kathleen (Stengel) Alton, Lancaster; two grandchildren, Matthew T. Alton, married to Elizabeth Hallabrin, Ogden, UT, and Amy K. Alton, fiancé of Dalton Roberto, Lancaster; one great grandson, Bruin T. Hallabrin Alton; and siblings Bruce Lichliter of Glen Arbor, MI, Marilyn Mayhall of Providence, RI, and John Yeager (Suesan) of Hollis, NH.

The family expresses heartfelt thanks to Shannon Sarge and fellow Home Instead caregivers for their care of Christie. Special thanks go to the staff of St. Anne’s Retirement Community for their exceptional care in her final months.

A celebration of life gathering will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024, at Charles F. Snyder Funeral Home, 3110 Lititz Pike, Lititz, PA. Visitation will begin at 10 a.m. followed by an informal program at 10:30 a.m. In lieu of flowers, please make a gift in Christie’s memory to Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue, 977 Seminole Trail, PMB 314, Charlottesville, VA 22901.