Christine Louise Schmidt Hailes

She was born on December 22, 1943, in Salt Lake City and was the 2nd oldest of six children of Edward and Louise Schmidt. Her siblings include Allen Schmidt (Ginette), Sandy Gabitas(Ted), Kathy Snow (Steve), Norman Schmidt (Aissa), Dan Schmidt (Nan). She is preceded in death by both of her parents Ed and Louise, her husband Stephen, brother Allen Schmidt, brother-in-law Ted Gabitas, brother-in-law Clay Morgan, brother-in-law John Hailes, son-in-law Bill Clayson, and grandson Nathan Jaramillo.

Christine married Stephen R. Hailes, on June 10, 1968. They met at the University of Utah while attending school. Together they built a remarkable family and shared a devotion to raising children in a home filled with learning, books (so many books), music, language, laughter, and unconditional love. Chris and Steve were the proud parents of ten children: Darby-Annette Clayson (Bill), Danessa Itaya (Brian), Trina Jaramillo (Todd), Terry Hailes, Devin Hailes (Laura), Jordan Hailes, Rebecca Hailes, Eric Hailes, Brittany Hailes, and Joanna Hailes.

Christine graduated from the University of Utah before continuing her education at the University of Minnesota, where she earned her master’s degree in French. Early in their marriage, Chris and Steve moved to Minneapolis, MN with their three children Darby-Annette, Danessa (adopted from Korea), and Trina, where they later adopted two sons from Korea, Terry and Devin. During that time, Christine taught at the University of Minnesota while pursuing her graduate studies.

The family later moved to San Jose, CA where their family continued to grow through adoption. Jordan and Rebecca joined the family from Haiti, Eric from San Jose, and Brittany and Joanna from Philadelphia. Christine believed deeply that family was built through love, commitment, and choice. Her adopted children will always remember that she was the mother who chose them.

Raised speaking French by her Swiss mother and her father who served a mission in France and Switzerland, Christine carried a lifelong love of language and culture. She and Steve both also served missions in France for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Christine was determined to raise her children bilingual, often finding creative and memorable ways to keep French alive in the home, from “French Mondays” to full immersion experiences at boarding school in Ferrières-en-Gâtinais, France.

Christine believed education was one of life’s greatest gifts. She encouraged learning in every form, whether through college, reading, Kumon tutoring, classical music concerts, or piano, violin, clarinet, or viola lessons. She shared her love of music, culture, books, and animals with her children, bringing everything from pet snakes to beloved dogs and cats into the family home. She also volunteered faithfully for many years at Second Harvest Food Bank, quietly serving others.

She was fiercely independent and unapologetically herself. Chris did things her way, right up to the very end. She also maintained an unwavering loyalty to Taco Bell, and her family will forever cherish the many Taco Bell lunches shared together over the years.

If you knew Chris, you knew she did not want a traditional funeral service. Instead, her family will honor and remember her during a Celebration of Life to be held in August in Salt Lake City.

Christine was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed by her children, extended family, and all who knew her. Her legacy lives on in the lives she shaped, the family she nurtured, and the love and determination she carried throughout her extraordinary life.