Christopher Quiggle Bottimore
September 20, 1945 - May 16, 2022
Obituary
CHRISTOPHER QUIGGLE BOTTIMORE
Born September 20, 1945
Passed Away May 16, 2022
ORIGINS
Christopher Quiggle Bottimore was born in Sacramento, California, on September 20, 1945, of mother Helen Rae Bottimore (Bolton) and father Ebner Quiggle Bottimore. His mother Helen (who passed away in 1998) was educated, a teacher, spoke Spanish, loved to travel, loved the arts, had a sense of style, was a great cook and friend. She was a wife and mother of three girls and one boy Chris and grandmother and great-grandmother. His father Ebner (who passed away in 2004) was a Farmer and an Entrepreneur who sold Tractors and Tractor Parts, worked tirelessly until age 97, and was always in his Overalls unless a wedding or a funeral or a family celebration diverted his attention from the Shop. He was a husband and father and grandfather and great-grandfather.
THREE OLDER SISTERS
Chris was the long-awaited baby boy with three older Sisters – Janet Burrows – educated at Mills College, a Banker, a Jazz enthusiast, a world traveler, the matriarch of the family, the glue – known as “Aunt Jannie” – or “Aunt Nammie” – mother and grandmother and great-grandmother and leader of the pack; Marilyn Norris – educated at Stanford University, a world traveler, a Court Reporter, an artist, mother and grandmother and Auntie; and Susan Mahon – educated at Sacramento State University, an Airline Professional, a world traveler, community activist, artist, mother and grandmother and Auntie. All full of grace and smarts and style – sadly seeing their baby brother go. Chris was “Uncle Chris” to Suzanne and Cathy (of his Sister Janet); Janet Lynn and Carlitos (of his Sister Marilyn); and Paula and Amy (of his Sister Susan).
EDUCATION / TALENTS
Chris was the lucky baby brother of these three amazing older Sisters, who survive him. They were raised in what was then the small rural community of Herald, California (near Sacramento, Lodi, and Galt). Chris attended Galt High School. His mother nurtured Academics and becoming learned. His father expected hard-work and use of his hands.
That Chris became multi-talented and utilized his mind and his hands is no surprise. He earned his Law Degree from McGeorge School of Law, and he was admitted to the California State Bar in January 1972. During various periods of his life, he practiced law. In Sacramento, California, he practiced Criminal Defense; and with his long hair and liberal views, he ran for Judge. In St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, he was the Managing Attorney for Legal Services of the US Virgin Islands; and he also worked for the USVI Attorney Generals Office. In Salinas, California, he practice Family Law and Personal Injury in several Counties. During other periods of his life, he ran Restaurants, restored Sailboats, rented Motorboats, worked as a Carpenter, etc. He was Brilliant – a Word-smith and a Wood-smith. You regretted getting into an argument with him and you cherished the things he made with his hands.
JO-ANNE / DAUGHTER LESLIE /
GRANDDAUGHTERS EMMA AND NICOLE
Chris married Jo-Anne Leslie Bottimore at the young age of twenty (20). Though the marriage was short – the friendship and kinship was life-long. They shared a daughter Leslie Rae Bottimore Muigai (56) and granddaughters Emma Wanjiru Muigai (24) and Nicole Jo-Anne Njeri Muigai (18). Jo-Anne – a Retired High School Teacher – despite the Divorce – became an integral part of the Bottimore Family. Leslie graduated from Lewis & Clark College, where she met Chris’ son-in-law Stanford Muigai Njuguna from Kenya, East Africa – who knew and loved Chris like a father and describes Chris as the most accepting person ever known.
Having lived for a period in Latin America, Leslie is Bilingual in Spanish and English (Latin American Spanish). Like her father – Leslie became a Lawyer – graduating from Seattle University School of Law. Dad gave tough, but unconditional, love. As a Lawyer, he tried to talk Leslie out of Law School – saying the world has “too many lawyers”! Nevertheless, as she embarked on the journey – he said – but “the world needs ‘good’ Lawyers – so go and be a ‘good’ Lawyer”! Like her Grandpa Eb, Leslie is also an Entrepreneur and has run a successful Law Firm – Bottimore & Associates, P.L.L.C. – a Family and Elder Law Firm – for almost twenty years. She is active in Mediation and Collaborative Law and a Leader in her community for resolution of family conflicts. She was recently recognized as a “Super Lawyer.” Her father knew of this, but he passed away before the magazine with his daughter on the cover was published. Leslie is a Pro Tem Judge / Pro Tem Court Commissioner. She frequently consulted with her father about the Law and considered him her “Of Counsel” – which will be a huge void.
Emma graduated from the University of Arizona in Journalism and Fashion and resides in NYC. She is an amazing Writer. Nicole is finishing Boarding School in Kenya. She is College Bound. The girls call their grandfather – “Ponka” – and they have many memories of Ponka picking them up from school, taking them to Soccer Practice, attending Soccer Games and cheering from the sidelines, writing songs together, playing Poker and Cribbage, being present for family gatherings with Nana for Holidays and Special Occasions.
JOANNE / DAUGHTER SARAH / GRANDSON DANIEL
Chris left the United States from Rhode Island to the British Virgin Islands and became an Ex-Patriot. Upon arrival – he met an educated, smart, and lovely lady from Boston – Joanne Penney. They shared many years together in the British Virgin Islands. And they shared a daughter Sarah Penney Bottimore. Though seventeen when Sarah was born and not raised together, Leslie and Sarah have always been close and correct those who call them “half-Sisters” – “no, we are Sisters”! Sarah holds degrees in International Studies and Performing Arts from Sacramento State University. Having lived for a period in Granada, Spain, Sarah is Bilingual in Spanish and English (Spanish from Spain). Sarah is Deputy Director of Waste Management of the BVI. She started the first ever Recycling Program for the entire country. Like her Grandpa Eb, she is also an Entrepreneur, running a successful Performing Arts / Dance Studio that has served hundreds of children and their families (being converted to a Classroom during the aftermath of Hurricane Irma) and she puts on Performances that would make her Grandma Helen proud (they make us all proud; and they certainly made her Daddy proud). Sarah is also one of a select few Representatives of the Caribbean for Al Gore’s Climate Change Initiative. Chris and Joanne share grandson Daniel Penney (5). Daniel calls his grandfather – “Grandpa” – and Chris was very thrilled to have Daniel in his life. Daniel visited Grandpa, read books with him, took naps with him, shared stories, showed him his soccer skills, sang for him, etc. When COVID interfered, Daniel spoke with his Grandpa frequently on the phone and by FaceTime and sent him pictures and drawings. Chris and Joanne also shared some of these FaceTime moments. Chris would lament at how lucky was Joanne to see his Daniel about daily!
EVELYN / NICHOLAS / EDWIN
Chris was also married to Evelyn Lima of the U.S. Virgin Islands and step-father to her boys Nicholas and Edwin for a period. Evelyn was a wonderful part of Sarah’s life, as Sarah spent every weekend in St. Thomas with her father and Evelyn and the boys for the better part of a decade. Chris and Evelyn remained friends even after Chris relocated to California in 1998.
INTERESTS / HOBBIES
Beyond family and also to his family, Chris was a great friend. He was the life of the party. He was an amazing Poker and Cribbage Player. He was a Sailor. He was a Pilot. He was a Classic Car (Chevy’s) Collector. Leslie was fortunate to drive his 1967 Chevy Nova – Hot Red – Hot Rod; while her Dad drove his 1955 Chevy BelAir – Red and White – to the Burien Car Show for Father’s Day 2021. His last Car Show. Chris was a Farmer. He was a woodworker and carpenter. He was a 49ers Convert to a Seattle Seahawks 12th Man Fan. His daughter Leslie and granddaughter Nicole had the privilege of taking him to a Seahawks/49ers Game for his Birthday in 2016!
Chris played Football, Baseball, Golf. He “taught” – he liked to think – Golf Etiquette to his son-in-law. He grew to love Soccer – with all of his grandkids playing the Sport.
PASSIONS
Chris was a hippy and a wanderer. He loved the mountains and the ocean. Unlike his parents who were born, spent 64 years of marriage, raised their family, and passed away, and were buried in the same community – their son Chris lived in Herald, Sacramento, Lake Tahoe, Aspen, Colorado, Newport, Rhode Island, Roadtown, Tortola, BVI and St. Thomas, the USVI, Salinas, and ultimately, Federal Way, WA in the Pacific Northwest. Chris had a love of good music – The Grateful Dead; Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young; Led Zeppelin; Bob Dylan; Credence Clearwater Revival; The Eagles; Fleetwood Mac; Jimmy Buffet; Paul Simon; Joni Mitchell; Carol King; Janis Joplin; Heart; Shakira; Lady Gaga (he took his granddaughters to her Concert!); and a repertoire of Reggae music – to name a few Artists and Genres. His Playlist will forever remind all of us of him. Chris’ favorite shows – when not watching Football and Car Shows – were Modern Family, Big Bang Theory, Law and Order, and McGiver (which he binge watched recently in Spanish when the Channel got stuck). Chris was an amazing cook – teaching all of us how to roast Turkey, Prime Rib, etc. Lots of Garlic. All of us look for the Hot Sauce for our eggs. He loved his son-in-law’s “Meat from Outside” – his daughter Leslie’s Salsa and Guacamole and feasts – his daughter Sarah’s gourmet meals – and Prime Rib from Black Angus – which Leslie was able to take to him twice in the month before he passed away.
SENSE OF JUSTICE
Chris protested the Vietnam War; yet he was a “Brother” / Friend to Uncle Dan on Leslie’s Mom’s side who fought in Vietnam. Chris taught Leslie, Sarah, Emma, Nicole, Daniel – and so many others – all about Civil Rights, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion. He held no judgments. He accepted humanity.
PARKINSON’S DISEASE / PASSING
Chris suffered from Parkinson’s Disease. He was a fighter. After countless falls and multiple broken bones, he kept rising above, not complaining, setting an example for all of us. Chris passed away in Federal Way, Washington, from Septic Shock – which attacked multiple organs – on May 16, 2022. He is so deeply missed by all of us. May he Rest In Peace. ❤️😢🙏💐
Sister Jan. You are fondly remembered as my sweet baby brother.
Thank you for sharing this loving, detailed account of Chris’s life. I enjoy researching family history, and when I saw his obituary in today’s Seattle Times I went to my Ancestry account to find out how we were related –we’re third cousins, very close in age, connected through our great-great-grandfather William Gordon Bottimore (1816-1896).
I lived in Seattle from 1975-2001, then moved to Bellingham…how I wish that Chris and I could have connected! May your wonderful memories ease the pain of his loss.
Janet -I also remember Chris as your cute baby brother, I use to babysit for. He seemed to have lived a very full and interesting life that most of us only read about. I send my love to the Bottimore sisters, Janet, Marilyn, Susan, and the rest of his family.
Laura Monseth
Rosemary Matranga Hunter
My Uncle Chris, you are sorely missed, but lived a wonderful life. Evidence of your incredible life is the amazing legacy you have in your daughters and grandchildren.
(I LOVED the written tribute to Uncle Chris and the entire family. And, I learned a few things.)
Leslie and family-
What a lovely and moving tribute to your Dad, Grandfather, Brother, Uncle. He had an incredible, full life! Wow! I so enjoyed hearing all the stories!Although I didn’t get the opportunity to know him first hand, I see now where you and your family inherited your passions and interests and talents! Your love for each other is your Dad’s greatest legacy..and he will live on forever for as long as this love endures.
May Chris Rest In Peace🙏
What an amazing life and tribute. My brother Rod and Joe Baxter went to high school with Chris in Galt. I was the younger sister they always tried to fix us up! I think I missed an amazing journey. This makes my heart so full to see how loved, what adventures and what a legacy. RIP CHRIS.
Ah, Chris, we had a blast at Galt High including the days we were supposed to be at school and weren’t.
Dear Marilyn,
I am so sorry that you have lost your brother.
Sincerely,
Karen Martin Schurr