Christine Greenia Mencarelli
A descendent of French, Scottish, German and Irish blood, Chris was born in Springfield, Massachusetts on August 18, 1959; … Just a few months after her Scottish grandmother and namesake “Christine Russell” passed away. They never met, but Chris carried her name forward, per her mother’s wishes.
Chris was the second child and only daughter of Dorothy Theresa Greenia and Wesley Leonard Greenia. Mother Dorothy worked variously at the historic Springfield Armory, Springfield College and later the Springfield Post Office. Chris’s dad worked for 38 years as a paper cutter at Gardner-Brooks Lithography, later part of Diamond International Corp. Chris was “bookended” by her two brothers, Mark who is 5 years older, and Matthew, who is 5 years younger than Chris. The three had many adventures together and were very close. Not close enough in age to “steal each other’s toys,” they always got along extremely well and always remained close loving siblings, always sharing laughs and family memories.
Chris’s dad grew up with 14 brothers and sisters, which produced a gaggle of cousins to interact with and enjoy over the years, especially at Christmas time and family reunions. The famous Greenia sense of humor was well known.
Anyone who knew Chris, knew that she was a lover of activity and was always in motion. She would often take charge, when she could. In 1963, her nursery school teacher described her as “a leader in the playground.” At Cathedral High School, she was co-captain of the girl’s gymnastics team, and helped them achieve the 1976 Western Massachusetts Championship title.
After graduating, Chris became Head Gymnastics Coach for her high school, and simultaneously the Head Gymnastics Coach and Director of Recreation for the Springfield Turnverein, a German-American athletics club. She was also a member of the women’s gymnastics team while attending Springfield College.
After joining the US Air Force Reserves, Chris became a recreation specialist at Westover Air Force Base, home of the 439th tactical air wing and the giant C5 Galaxy transport planes. Activated during Desert Storm, she ran many athletic activities for the base and made a number of very good friends.
Chris also worked for the South End Citizen’s Council in Springfield, helping people in need get access to helpful programs.
Continuing with her love of gymnastics, Chris worked as a coach and choreographer for the Pioneer Valley Gymnastics School, under its founder, Leo Leger. Later, she would go on to coach gymnastics at Space Coast Gym in Florida.
Chris’s love of excitement and activity led her to become a Harley-Davidson motorcycle rider, sprouting the obligatory ink art. She soon met her hubby Mike Mencarelli, with whom she shared exciting times and travels from 1990, until they parted ways in 1995.
An unexpected and heavy blow was dealt to Chris when she was in a serious auto injury in December of that year, which left her in a coma for weeks. She referred to this as her “freak accident,” and it left her with memory impairment and significant mobility issues. After transferring from Cape Canaveral Hospital to Sea Pines Rehabilitative hospital in January 1996, she embarked on a months-long strenuous program of learning to talk, walk, read and eat all over again.
Always one to meet a challenge head-on, Chris spent years in difficult and focused recovery therapy, exercises and rehab activities. Throughout all the trauma of the accident, the hospitalization, therapy and beyond, Chris found great comfort and support from her friends, which contributed greatly to her continued recovery. As a result, she was able to achieve a level of personal activity that surprised most doctors and even friends and family.
The November 2022 diagnosis of stage IV breast cancer was a heavy blow to her family and all who knew her. As a fighter with a tough background and someone who was no stranger to a good challenge, she fought long and hard with the loving support of friends and family. She leaves behind her two brothers, and two nephews, Jason, and Alexander, and her many friends. She will be greatly missed. Her absence may be somewhat filled in part by the many memories we have of her laughter, generosity and loving smiles.
A Life Celebration will be held for Chris Sunday, October 15th, 1:00 PM, at 1210 S. Orlando Ave. Cocoa Beach, FL.