Cristin Sue Volinkaty

Cristin Sue Volinkaty was born at St. Patrick Hospital on August 31, 1948 to Donald T. and Shirl M. Connick. She was raised and lived in Missoula all her life except for one fateful year in Helena, Mt. More on that year later.

Cris attended Hawthorne Elementary School and was a member of the first graduating class of Hellgate High School in 1966. She was active in 4H during her school years where she learned and mastered her sewing skills, becoming an excellent seamstress. Cris' parents spent summers at Seeley Lake during these formative years. Cris loved it and relished all the good memories and friends she had at Seeley Lake right up to her death. Working at her parent's drive-in and the July 4th celebrations were especially enjoyed.

After high school Cris attended the University of Montana, graduating in 1970 with her degree in Home Economics. She had a great time in college and was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority where she made some of her best and life-long friends. After graduation she moved to Helena where she worked for a program teaching single mothers how to parent. Remember the fateful year in Helena? Well, it was there in 1970-71 that she met a young lawyer who had coincidentally also graduated from the University of Montana Law School in 1970 although they did not know each other while in school. This young lawyer, Richard Volinkaty, so happened to meet this beautiful blonde who caught his eye and captured his heart. This happenstance occasion gave rise to a yearlong courting ordeal involving a lot of angst, passion, fun, partying and some "fights,” ultimately resulting in their marriage at Christ the King Church in 1972. That marriage lasted for 54 years until Cris' death on September 18, 2026.

After their marriage, in 1972, Dick was elected City Court Judge and Cris stayed home to care for their new daughter, Anna, their only child. Cris eventually went back to work at first substitute teaching but later being one of the first employees of Opportunity Workshop. She also became the first local coordinator for the American Scandinavian Student Association (ASSE) which was new to Missoula, placing students in host homes around Western Montana.

After a number of years at Opportunity, Cris decided that "little butts" were easier than "big butts" and went to work at the Child Development Center. It was there that she spent the remainder of her career, over 20 years culminating by becoming the Executive Director a position she held for many years. Oh, how she loved that career! She became a fierce, forceful and persuasive advocate for her "DD" children. She loved to lobby the state legislature during sessions to secure as much as she could for her children. She and her cohorts from around the state were more successful than most in their tactics. She managed CDC professionally and successfully for many years and was heartbroken to see its demise.

Throughout her life, Cris sewed. She made suits for her husband, beautiful dresses for herself and daughter "Have Prom Dress Will Travel" not to mention bedspreads, drapes and whatever else she wanted. She and Dick traveled a lot getting to see many fascinating and interesting places and following their daughter around the globe. Cris was most proud of being an Edward Kennedy delegate at the 1980 Democratic Convention in New York City.

Finally, after 40 years of private law practice for Dick and the culmination of Cris' career they retired in 2014 which coincided with the arrival of their only grandchild, Madeleine in 2013. For a few years they were able to enjoy retirement spending holidays with their daughter's family in Asheville, N.C. and then venturing to Naples, Florida for the depth of winter. Those were great years and Cris got to see a lot of the U.S. she had missed earlier in life. It was a fun time but in May 2019 it came to an abrupt end. Returning from our Winter stay in Florida, Cris began to exhibit some troublesome behavior and upon our return to Montana we made a trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN where Cris was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. That began a seven year struggle as we experienced the disease slowly advance with unrelenting and devastating purpose. Dick cared for her until the end which came on Sept.18, 2026 after four days in Edgewood Memory Care where she received excellent care.

Cris is survived by her husband of 54 years and their daughter Anna and her family as well as Cris' sister, Debra and her family. In memory of Cris, if you wish, send a donation to the Alzheimer's Association or a charity of your choice. A memorial mass and celebration will be held later.