Mary Christianson, 93, had lived in Sherman

Mary Thomas Christianson, 93, formerly of 3 Holiday Point Road, Sherman, died Aug. 22 at Bethel Health Care Center. She was the widow of Leif Christianson, who died Oct. 8, 2004, after 56 years of marriage.

Mrs. Christianson was born Sept. 13, 1918, in Somerville, N.J., the daughter of the late Augustus and Grace Thomas.

After moving from Somerville, Mrs. Christianson and her husband resided in Bridgewater, N.J., for 27 years, where they raised their two children.

After retirement in 1981, they moved to Sherman to be near family.

She was an active member of the Sherman Congregational Church, where she was involved with the Friendly Service Organization.

Mrs. Christianson is survived by a son, Peter Christianson and his wife, Joan, of Warrington, Pa.; a daughter, Kathryn Russo-Hayser and her husband, Michael, of Sherman; four grandchildren, Ellen Christianson, of Virginia Beach, Va., Jeffrey Christianson, of Troy, N.Y., Justin Russo and his wife, Jennifer, of North Reading, Mass., and Meredith Russo Cleary and her husband, Kevin, of Sherman; and a niece, Jill Sperling Yellin of Frenchtown, N.J., and her husband, Bruce, and daughter, Emily. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by a sister, Joan Sperling.

A memorial service will take place Saturday at noon at the Sherman Congregational Church, 6 Church Road.

The Lillis Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut, 405 Main St., Danbury CT 06810.