Christine B. Alznauer, 81

Christine B. Alznauer, of Fernandina Beach, Florida, passed away on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at the age of 81.

Chris was born on May 22, 1945, in Niagara Falls, New York, to the late Kathleen and Eugene Benk. She spent her childhood in Niagara Falls, attending Sacred Heart Elementary School. Her father, a U.S. Navy sailor, was transferred to New Jersey, where Chris attended and graduated from Brick Township High School in 1963. In 1967, Chris graduated from Montclair State College (now University) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech and drama. Upon graduation, she married George Alznauer, that lucky devil.

During their 59 years of marriage, they brought two children into their home; Jason Scott and Gregory Todd, both current residents of Fernandina Beach. The children, now in their 50s, have wonderful memories of their mother and the love, compassion, and encouragement that she had bestowed upon them.

Chris and George moved nine different times during their marriage, for which Chris became the family Swiss Army knife. In addition to raising the family, Chris worked in several different career fields, including teaching, travel planning, school administration, property management, and interior design. After retiring to Fernandina Beach, she established the Gerri Dadd Foundation in memory of her late sister, Gerri. This foundation operated Gerri’s Corner of Comfort, a local resource center for women with breast cancer.

Chris leaves behind her spouse George, and children Jason (Jill) and Gregory (Laura) of Fernandina Beach; granddaughters Alison Riley of Arlington, Virginia, Kathryn Day of Fernandina Beach, Florida, Kayla Michelle of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Grace Elizabeth, of Raleigh, North Carolina. Chris is preceded in death by her parents Kathleen Ciurylo Benk, Eugene Benk, sister Geraldine Dadd (Benjamine) and brother Mark Benk (Carol Ann).

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 26, 2026, 1 p.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, 202 North First St., Fernandina Beach.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to Community Hospice Jane and Bill Warner Center for Caring, Fernandina Beach, Florida.

Please share your memories and condolences at Oxley-Heard.