Christina Ruth Kingsbury

Christina Ruth Carlton, 59, of Jacksonville, Fla., passed away on December 4, 2024, after a courageous six-year battle with cancer. She is survived by her children Garrett & Charles, her daughters-in-law Emma Jean & Reva, and her loving grandsons Jack & Kolby. She leaves behind her loving parents Charles & Franca, her siblings Mary, Mark & Donald, and countless nieces & nephews.

Mother Theresa famously once said, “Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do but how much love we put into that action.”

To know Christina was to know love.

Until her 50s, her life’s work was motherhood. She was nurturing, loving, and her son’s biggest fans. By 59, her favorite pastime was being a Nonna. She spoiled her grandsons, Jack and Kolby, and reveled in their presence.

Born December 25, 1964, to her loving parents, Charles and Franca, she was extraordinary in many things: a fiercely loyal daughter and sister who loved her parents and siblings – Mary, Mark and Donald – unconditionally, a devout aunt to her many nieces and nephews, a caring and dear friend to those who knew her.  If she lived a hundred times over, she would choose to be “Mom,” “Nonna,” “Chrissy,” or “Aunt Chrissy” every time. And until her very last days, she remained steadfast in those commitments.

Her family loved her for her outsized personality which could fill a room. Her laugh was so infectious that it will never leave us. Her moments of intensity reminded us that life is about feeling.

To her sons, Garrett and Charles, she was everything in one. She was the breadwinner and the caretaker. She would rise early every day, run the blow dryer until it was scolding hot, meticulously put on her makeup, grab her coffee and go to work. She was so well-dressed and put together; her Italian roots never left her. Her home was spotless. The vacuum ran early on Saturdays, her sons startled by the roaring sound of the vacuum. The lemon Pledge scent filled the house after she cleaned every inch of wood. The toilets were filled with enough Clorox that you could smell them when you walked by. She took immense pride in what she had and who she was.

She leaves behind beautiful traditions, perspective and memories. For her children, Christmas always began in November. Annual trips to Disney were frequent and magical. Black Fridays were plentiful.

She was simple in the best of ways. She ate at a legendary pace. Her mother’s tripe, eggplant, her father’s famous cheesecake. She would indulge in thirds before lending a hand with the dishes. Her taste for music ranged from Neil Diamond to the Eagles to Bon Jovi and Ricky Martin. Her hairstyles were always in style. Curly, perm, short, long, blonde and brunette. She took countless photos to remind her of what mattered most. She often knocked on the doors of those memories, especially when she needed them most. She loved Westerns, Family Feud, Friends, Law and Order. Though Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was in a category of his own. She spent hours window shopping at department stores, her eye always in search of the next great gift – money be damned. She had a caviar taste on a tuna fish budget.

She taught those around her to love unconditionally. She loved to laugh, and occasionally at herself. She could tease and needle, but never out of malice. She taught us gratitude. There was never an occasion that was undeserving of a Hallmark card. Her short and sweet notes to her loved ones always spelled out in her bubbly handwriting. She loved her family with every fabric of her being. She never called to riff about politics. Instead, she asked about your day, what was for dinner, and how cold it was where you lived. She yearned for sweaters.

She taught us the true meaning of strength. Her courage in the face of her cancer was incalculable. She braved unimageable pain and the fear of her own mortality. Over and over. She was stronger than she knew. Yet, during that time her prayers were beautifully answered, too: she beat cancer the first time, witnessed her children marry, became a mother-in-law, visited Rockefeller Plaza during the holidays, became Nonna to Jack and, later, to Kolby. She hugged her grandchildren and spoiled them rotten with gifts. She had moments of laughter. She indulged. She lived.

In her final days, her family laughed, cried and loved with her. And she fought until she couldn’t any longer. At 10:01 a.m. on Wednesday, December 4, she gave her last breath, and her spirit went with the Lord.

We’ll remember you for your laugh and caring nature. Your soul will never leave us. Through our tears and memories, let us see the blessings of knowing and loving you – as a strong, courageous woman, a loving mother, Nonna, daughter, sister, aunt and friend that anyone could have.