Christina Cline

Christina Bernice Cline died on Wednesday, November 1, 2023 at the age of 73. A memorial service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21, 2023 at Alden-Waggoner Funeral Chapel, 5400 Fairview Avenue, Boise.  

Christina was born in Boise, ID on November 4, 1949 to Glen E. and Kathryn Crain Cline. She grew up and was educated in Boise, graduating from Borah High School in 1968. In the summer of 1969, Christina went on the trip of a lifetime, traveling Africa and Europe. Christina earned a B.F.A. in Sculpture from the University of Idaho in 1972 after starting her college art experience for two years at the University of Montana. In 1978 she earned her Master’s degree from Boise State University. 

Christina was a beloved art teacher. She taught art, photography, and yearbook at both South Junior High in Boise and Orting High School in Puyallup, WA. Christina’s nearly 40-year career in education left an indelible mark on the lives of those she taught and mentored. Christina shared her profound love for all forms of art, nurturing the artistic talents of thousands of students. Her vibrant and infectious enthusiasm for the arts sparked creativity and joy in her classroom. Her teaching extended far beyond techniques and mediums; she instilled in her students a deep appreciation for self-expression, individuality, and the beauty of the creative process.

Described as creative, joyful, independent, loving, and compassionate, Christina's impact reached far beyond the confines of the classroom. Her students often spoke of her as more than a teacher; she was a mentor and a friend, always ready to listen, encourage, and guide them on their journeys. Many former students stayed in touch with Christina and credited her with significantly contributing to the direction of their lives.   

Even after her retirement, Christina continued to share life lessons and knowledge with the young people in her life. She was an adored auntie and a mentor to the many high school students she hired over the years to assist with household upkeep. Her dedication to teaching was a testament to her lifelong commitment to being a positive influence in the lives of others.

Besides her passion for teaching, Christina was extremely dedicated to her family. She was proud of her heritage and spent countless hours researching and documenting her family lineage. She often spoke of the long line of strong, independent women from whom she came. Christina was also proud of her father who was an influential Idaho architect. She loved to share stories of ancestors with her nieces and nephews. Enjoying the company of family and friends was one of Christina’s favorite pastimes.    

Christina was an animal lover and a dedicated pet parent. In her younger years, she loved riding and tending to horses. She adored every one of the nine dogs she adopted over the course of her adult life. Her dogs were her light, her joy, and her true companions. Christina enjoyed spending time in the mountains, with her dogs, family, friends, and in solitude.  

Christina's positive spirit extended to every facet of her life. She radiated love and compassion to everyone she met. Her kindness was boundless, her generosity unmatched, and her laughter infectious. Her friends and family remember her as a source of strength and support, a beacon of positivity who brightened even the darkest of days.

Christina leaves behind a community of former students, colleagues, friends, and family who will cherish her memory and the invaluable wisdom she imparted. Christina’s family requests that any memorial donations be made to The Boise Art Museum, the Boise School District Foundation, the Idaho Humane Society, or another charity benefitting children, animals, or the arts. Christina will be dearly missed, but her loved ones take solace in knowing her life was a masterpiece, beautifully woven into the hearts and minds of those she touched.