Christine Anne Swanson

Christine Anne Swanson, 72, passed away at home in Crozet, Virginia on 18 September 2024, from complication resulting from Alzheimer’s. Christine was born in Butte, Montana, and grew up in Anaconda raised by her mother Catherine Papich Swanson following the early death of her father Clarence B. Swanson. Christine lived with her mother and grandmother in the same family home at 706 Oak Street as six first cousins: Mike, Steve, John, Mark, Marianne, and Tim, the children of her Uncle Mike and Aunt Kay Papich. Her cousins were her ‘brothers and sister’ her entire life.

Christine attended Daly Elementary School, then Lincoln School, Anaconda Junior High School, and Anaconda High School where she was selected valedictorian graduating in 1970. After one semester at the University of Montana, Christine transferred to Montana State University where she graduated in 1974 with a degree in Dietetics. She received a Master’s Degree in Public Health and a Doctorate in Nutritional Sciences from the University of California Berkeley in 1980.

In High School Christine was on the Swim and Cheerleading Teams. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She was an avid skier throughout Montana, the United States and during her time in Switzerland. She learned French while in Switzerland and continued taking classes in that language all her adult life. She loved to dance with particular emphasis on Zydeco, Cajun, and Ballroom dancing. Her other passions included gardening, playing acoustic guitar and knitting. She loved to read and travel. 

Christine’s work included postdoctoral work with the USDA at the Beltsville Research Center. She was hired by Nestle and worked for two years at their world headquarters in Vevey Switzerland where she met many lifelong friends. Dr. Swanson conducted human metabolic studies of zinc and selenium. Hired by the National Institutes of Health, she worked for 15 years at the NIH Cancer Institute focused on epidemiology and genetics studying the relationships between alcohol, obesity, and cancer risk. She then transferred to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements where she worked another 15 years retiring from NIH in 2014.

Christine met her future husband Arthur Joseph Wollam on Match.com. They were married at Chico Hot Springs Montana in August 2007. Christine introduced Arthur to the wonders of SW Montana and they made regular visits to her home town as well as Bozeman and Helena. Through her, Arthur made many wonderful new friends including Theresa Verlanic Johnson, Joanne David Eide, Mary Ralston Wilhelm and their husbands. Christine and Arthur relocated in retirement to Crozet Virginia in October 2014 and continued their travels throughout the United States and to Western Europe.

Christine is greatly missed by Arthur and his son Ben Wollam to whom she was a wonderful stepmom; and by her sisters-in-law: Julie Wollam Gingrich, and Susan Wollam Furr, and their husbands Tom and Windsor. Her sudden and unexpected death has saddened all who knew her yet saved her from the further ravages of Alzheimer’s. She is preceded in death by her parents Clarence (1954), and Catherine (2002). Donations in her name can be made to her favorite charities: The Children’s Inn at NIH, or Doctors Without Borders. Christine’s ashes will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery at a date to be provided by Arlington. A separate memorial ceremony will take place in Montana at a future date.