The St Clare’s Taree and St Francis Xavier’s Hamilton communities were devastated by the sudden passing of Chris Todhunter on 12 December.
Chris was the consummate teacher inspiring her students and many of her colleagues in Taree and Hamilton. Officially Chris taught Ancient History and English but there were many other subjects she taught us all – how to bring out the best in people, how to slow cook silverside, how to be ‘true blue’, how to stage a play or coach a basketball team, how to cater for many. Chris even managed to instruct Mark Northam on how to teach English to Year 7! Recently Chris piloted and wrote the first programs for the HSC English Studies Course.
Wayne, Chris’ husband and colleague on the staff of St Clare’s and SFX encouraged and supported her adventurous spirit. This partnership recently flourished with a Canadian exchange experience, grandparenthood and tramping around Europe. Last month Chris surprised everyone by riding her motorbike for six hours to Bathurst for HSC marking (after a cortisone injection to ease the pain in her knee).
A week before her death Chris enjoyed a celebration of her 60th birthday with family and friends. The legacy of Chris Todhunter to all who had the privilege of knowing her lives on through her qualities of justice, generosity, lucidity, patience, empathy, veracity and prudence.