It is with great sadness that we announce the unexpected passing of Christa Elizabeth MacPherson (nee Sperlich) on July 14th, 2016. Christa was born in Winsen an der Luhe, Germany on December 22nd, 1950 to Paul and Erika Sperlich. The family immigrated to Canada and settled in Calgary in 1959, then moved to Salmon arm in 1967. Christa played basketball for Jewels in 1967 and ’68 where they won the Provincial Championships. She also played volleyball and was on the “Reach for the Top” team. Christa was crowned Miss Salmon Arm 1968 and represented Salmon Arm in the Miss PNE Pageant.
Christa married Bob MacPherson in the British Honduras (Belize). They moved to Fort Vermillion and then to Edmonton where Christa worked for Xerox. It was while they lived in Edmonton that Christa became one of the first women to train as an RCMP Special Constable and worked at the Edmonton International Airport. Christa always had a love to try new adventures and decided to move to Taos, New Mexico to pursue her appreciation for outdoor sports (skiing). It was there that her interest in art work developed and on her return, when she eventually settled in Vancouver, she became a partner in an Art Gallery - “Art Works.” After several years in the art business, she decided to expand her horizon and start her own successful business, “Corporate Impressions”. She spent many years refining the business of custom corporate art and gifts. She sold her business to Image Group a few years ago and continued to work for them. While she lived in Vancouver she also had a second residence in Whistler where she spent many winters skiing, snowboarding and hanging out with friends. In 2006 she bought property in Cherryville and had her brother build her an “off the grid” post and beam house. There she was able to pursue her passion for growing, cooking and processing her own vegetables and living a natural and healthy lifestyle.
She is predeceased by her father Paul Sperlich (1987) and her first dog and beloved companion, Dexter. Christa will be missed and lovingly remembered by her mother, Erika Sperlich; her sister, Ingrid (Brian) Young; her brother, Peter (Margaret) Sperlich; her nieces and nephews: Alison (Matt Perkins) Young, Derek Young, Andrew Sperlich, Kim (Kody) Olsen, Douglas Sperlich; her grand- nephew, Devon Olsen; and most especially by her best friend and companion dog, Teva.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the Tea Room of Pleasant Valley Funeral Home on Sunday, July 24th, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.
Flowers are gratefully declined. Contributions in memory of Christa may be directed to your local SPCA.
Arrangements have been entrusted to PLEASANT VALLEY DIGNITY FUNERAL HOME, 4303 P.V. Road, Vernon, B.C. V1T 4M4 Phone: (250) 542-4333. Condolences may be offered at pleasantvalleyfh.com