Death of a Pitcairn Islander

Betty Jean Christian, one of the stalwarts of Pitcairn Island, has died.

After having suffered a series of strokes earlier this year, this mother of four daughters, and widow of the late, long-time Pitcairn Radio Officer Tom Christisan, succumbed peacefully on March 10 with her daughters at her bedside at the Bupa Glenburn care facility in New Lynn, New Zealand.

Born on November 23, 1943, on Pitcairn, Betty was the daughter of Pitcairners Sterling Gifford Christian and Selina Agnes Coffin. She was a sixth-generation descendant of the mutineers of H.M.S. Bounty fame. She married Thomas Coleman Christian in 1966 on Pitcairn Island.

Among her many contributions to Pitcairn’s betterment, Betty was a member of the Island Council in 1990 and 1993. She was also appointed by the United Kingdom’s colonial governor as the Island Secretary, with ex officio membership in the Island Council. She held this post for many years.

Betty joined the island’s communications staff in 1963, and succeeded her husband as Pitcairn’s Communications Officer in 2000. It was her main island responsibility until she left Pitcairn in 2015 to spend time abroad with her grandchildren and their families.

As an experienced radio operator, Betty managed Pitcairn’s essential administrative duties, external communications, and meteorological reporting for more than four decades.

In recognition of her distinguished service to Pitcairn, Betty was awarded the Officer of the Order of British Empire (OBE) medal by the United Kingdom in New Zealand in 2008.

A active member of Pitcairn’s Seventh-day Adventist Church throughout her lifetime on the island, Betty served as the church organist and held numerous other church leadership responsibilities.

At as early a date as possible, Betty’s cremated remains will be returned from New Zealand to Pitcairn for placement in the island cemetery.

After having suffered a series of strokes earlier this year, this mother of four daughters, and widow of the late, long-time Pitcairn Radio Officer Tom Christisan, succumbed peacefully on March 10 with her daughters at her bedside at the Bupa Glenburn care facility in New Lynn, New Zealand.

Born on November 23, 1943, on Pitcairn, Betty was the daughter of Pitcairners Sterling Gifford Christian and Selina Agnes Coffin. She was a sixth-generation descendant of the mutineers of H.M.S. Bounty fame. She married Thomas Coleman Christian in 1966 on Pitcairn Island.

Among her many contributions to Pitcairn’s betterment, Betty was a member of the Island Council in 1990 and 1993. She was also appointed by the United Kingdom’s colonial governor as the Island Secretary, with ex officio membership in the Island Council. She held this post for many years.

Betty joined the island’s communications staff in 1963, and succeeded her husband as Pitcairn’s Communications Officer in 2000. It was her main island responsibility until she left Pitcairn in 2015 to spend time abroad with her grandchildren and their families.

As an experienced radio operator, Betty managed Pitcairn’s essential administrative duties, external communications, and meteorological reporting for more than four decades.

In recognition of her distinguished service to Pitcairn, Betty was awarded the Officer of the Order of British Empire (OBE) medal by the United Kingdom in New Zealand in 2008.

A active member of Pitcairn’s Seventh-day Adventist Church throughout her lifetime on the island, Betty served as the church organist and held numerous other church leadership responsibilities.

At as early a date as possible, Betty’s cremated remains will be returned from New Zealand to Pitcairn for placement in the island cemetery.