Christine Ann Kalafat passed away at a skilled nursing facility in Bridgeport, WV, her final residence for the last few years after suffering from a series of strokes and other ailments.
She was born in New Brunswick, NJ, on May 8, 1952, and raised in northeastern New Jersey, the eldest daughter of the six children of Don and Betty Sutherland.
In 1970, she moved to Buckhannon, WV, to start and raise a family with her high school sweetheart, George Kalafat, who was then a freshman at West Virginia Wesleyan College. Over the next decade, they had three children: Karen, Jason, and Brent.
Chris was fiercely protective of her children, including numerous run-ins with school administrators over their occasional youthful jackassery. She taught her children, and then her grandchildren, to value education and to accept and respect all people. She cherished her grandchildren and was actively engaged with them until she was no longer physically able.
Those who knew her and loved her will fondly remember her broad smile, sharp wit, and spirited personality.
Chris spent over three decades working as a pawnbroker in the family business, sharing this skill set with her children in due course. She was an avid reader and passionate and knowledgeable about her plants and gardens. Many friends and business associates will remember the lively holiday celebrations that she and George hosted.
Chris loved animals and was easily coerced into acquiring more family pets. She very much appreciated and contributed to the culinary skills of her children, acting as a taste-tester for many homemade recipes. She encouraged her children to live full lives and was always a willing participant in playful shenanigans.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brothers, Jimmy and Scott Sutherland.
She is survived by her children, Karen Kalafat of Bridgeport, Jason Kalafat of Fairfax, Virginia, and Brent Kalafat, also of Bridgeport; her grandchildren, Zoe and Christian Kalafat of Fairfax, Virginia; her sisters, Karen Barrasso of New Jersey and Barbara Jannone of South Carolina; her brother, Mark Sutherland of New Jersey; and many family spouses, nieces, and nephews.
She loved them all and greatly enjoyed the two decades of hosting annual Sutherland family gatherings at her home. Chris was not flawless, but she was wonderful, and she will be deeply missed.
In lieu of flowers, please donate your time, your sweet treats, and any available extra love and kindness to the wonderful staff and residents of your nearest nursing facility. Peace to you.
Friends will be received Saturday, August 29, 2026, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. In honoring Christine’s wishes, she will be cremated after the services.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.polingstclair.com. Poling-St. Clair Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
