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Christine Gorski, longtime resident of Madison, passed away on Oct. 24 at home after a long, debilitating illness from complications of COVID-19; throughout, she remained a cheerfully stoic personality, inspiring and loved by all she touched. The devoted wife for 63 years of the late Casimir Gorski, Christine was born in Detroit, Michigan on Dec. 1, 1934, first daughter of the late Matthew and Sophie (Opalinski) Cieplak.

She was the loving mother of Karen Brody (late Robert) of Mt. Vernon, New York; Matthew Gorski (Doug Morris) of New York, New York; Christine Williams (Mark) of Detroit, Michigan; Jim Gorski (Paula) of Louisiana; Greg Gorski the Elder (Carol) of Ridgefield; David Gorski (Danielle) of Fairfield; and Christopher Gorski (Elisabeth Rose) of Cos Cob.

She is also survived by 13 grandchildren and one great-granddaughter Samantha, Valerie, and Charlotte Brody; (Ian Del Giacco) Alex (Sarah) Williams; Gregory and Olivia Gorski; Colin, Katherine, and Ava Gorski; Isabel, Nate, Theo, and Sebastian Rose; and Rosalie Anne Brody Del Giacco, her new great-granddaughter born Oct. 18 of this year.

She was the sister of the late Rosalie Cieplak, the late Bernadine McCartney, and Joan Ghougoian, of Detroit, Michigan.

Christine (pen name Krystina Mavwauki), an avid student of life, and a true connoisseur of all things beautiful great and small, chose her own path and steadfastly followed her heart and mind, guided by a unique spirituality and belief in her Catholic faith. Holding the unchallenged title of The World’s Best Mother, she considered her true calling in this world her advocacy for and guidance to her many children and grandchildren, as best friends, confidantes, partners in crime, co-conspirators, and world travelers. Graduating from college with a major in French language and literature in her 60s, she continued on a path to challenge age-related norms and her youthful outlook and presence, and constant encouragement made her a role model to all who came in contact with her. Christine practiced yoga and followed exercise routines beginning in the early 1960s and in doing so was far ahead of the health and fitness movement that later followed. She read voraciously; her library knew no bounds. An amazing baker, seamstress, artist, and gardener, she taught, and inspired, her children, grandchildren, friends, and colleagues to follow in her path. Strikingly beautiful yet gracious and completely unassuming, she captured hearts wherever she went. Even as her health declined in a cruelly ironic blow, she maintained her faith and her constant will to endure. She loved all of life and held on to it for as long as she possibly could. Ultimately, she finally decided to take that turn off the road and drive over the hills to the great adventure beyond. Her incredible accomplishments and grace will endure.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 5, in St. Margaret’s R.C. Church, 24 Academy Street, Madison. Burial services will be held privately. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association, 912 Killian Hill Rd SW, Lilburn, GA 30047; www.lbda.org. Arrangements are in the care of the Guilford Funeral Home, 115 Church Street, Guilford. For more information or to send on online condolence for the family, please visit www.GuilfordFuneralHome.com.