Christine Hitchcock

Christine Hitchcock was born February 5, 1919 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and died on April 8, 2017 surrounded by family in her home in Lancaster, California. Her parents, Elisa Basile and Aniello Lucera, immigrated from Foggia, Italy, and were married in the U.S., so she was a first generation Italian-American and very proud of her heritage.

Christine met and married Vern when he was in the Navy stationed in Philadelphia during WWII. In 1948, they moved to Compton, California along with their daughter, Joyce. Their son, David, was born shortly thereafter. Another move brought them to Lancaster in 1955 where son, Ron, was born. In 1954, Christine and Vern started the family business, Lancaster Moving & Storage and after Vern’s death in 2005, she remained owner and Chairman of the Board until her passing.

Christine enjoyed sewing and honed her skill while sewing men’s suits in a Philadelphia factory. After she had children, she continued sewing and made many of their clothes, as well as her own. She enjoyed her Bunco group, cards, and bingo, but had a special fondness for the slots at State Line and in San Diego. She rarely saw a slot she didn’t like. When Christine wasn’t gambling, she loved to do crossword puzzles or color in her coloring book. She also collected recipes and took pride in cooking for her family and friends and she enjoyed traveling with her family and their friends as well. She was “game on” for almost anything.

She is survived by daughter, Joyce Baker (Jim), and sons, David and Ron Hitchcock (Sarah). She has seven grandchildren: Brian and Blayne Baker (Brooke), Myke Andrews (Roxanne), Crystal Hitchcock (Matt), Elisa Hitchcock (Jordan), Georgia Daubert (Tom), and Daniel Hitchcock. She also has nine great grandchildren: Annette Andrews, Breana Schoenfeld, Elizabeth, Elexis, and Angelina Hitchcock, Madison Hitchcock-McMillan, Ben, Buck, and Bell Baker. She has numerous nieces and nephews across the country and enjoyed celebrating her 98th birthday with two of them: Patricia Erace and Marilyn Harvey. She was preceded in death by her husband, Vern, her parents, Elisa and Aniello, and all of her siblings: Denny, Nick, Luigi, Richard, Mae, and Elsie; she was the last leaf on the family tree.

The family would like to thank Christine’s caregivers: Cecelia Sanders, Lisa Poonoosamy, Cindy Lambeth, Isabel Turner, Leslie Smoot, and Crystal Hitchcock, as well as ProCare Hospice for all the wonderful care they provided to Christine.

There will be a Vigil Services and Viewing on Friday, April 21st from 4-8pm at Halley Olsen Murphy Funerals & Cremations in Lancaster. The Funeral Services will be held Saturday, April 22nd at 10am also at Halley Olsen Murphy. A graveside service will follow at Joshua Memorial and a reception for friends and family will be held at Christine’s home.