Christine Grace Bertram, 66, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 6, peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones after a long battle with cancer. 

Christine was born on December 28, 1952, in New Bedford to Samuel and Marjorie Bertram and was a lifelong resident of Mattapoisett. She graduated with the Class of 1970 at Old Rochester Regional High School, received her BFA from Swain School of Design in 1974, and achieved her MFA from Brooklyn College in 1976. She went on to earn a second BFA in Graphic Design and Typography at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, in 1995. 

Christine’s skills and education led her to various professional positions throughout her life, most notably as a research writer for the City of New Bedford, and later as a creative team member for the Advertising Department at The Standard-Times. 

Christine was well known for her talent as a professional painter and her natural artistic vision led her to explore many other styles of art throughout her life. She created beautiful scrimshaw pieces, was a talented seamstress, enjoyed weaving rugs, loved to upholster furniture, and refinish antiques. She designed her home and was instrumental in its construction. She always had fresh from the garden flowers in her home and loved to share the vegetables she grew. A fantastic cook and hostess, she always looked forward to opening her home to her family and friends for dining and social occasions. 

Her love and dedication to her hometowns of Mattapoisett and New Bedford motivated her to become involved in the maintenance and restoration of Mattapoisett’s Tinkhamtown Chapel. A former member of W.H.A.L.E., she was a founding member of the Mattapoisett Area Artists Association, and an active member of Gallery X. Christine has displayed her work at Hatch Street Studios since 2015. 

She was a dedicated mother, devoted friend and free and vibrant spirit. Christine is survived by her two sons, Christian and his wife Amanda; Michael and his husband Tyler Pereira; her longtime partner Robert Brown, as well as her two sisters Catherine Bertram, Carolee Eckblom, their husbands and her niece Katerina Eckblom. 

Family and friends wish to thank all of Christine’s loving caregivers from many organizations in the area who gave her comfort throughout her illness. In lieu of flowers, her sons ask that donations be made in her name to: Gallery X, 169 William St, New Bedford, MA 02740. 

Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Rt. 6, Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.