Christine Veilleux

January 23, 1959 - February 12, 2021

Christine "Titine" Veilleux, a Rancho Santa Margarita, California resident of 32 years, entered peacefully into eternal life at age 62 on February 12, 2021 at Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo, California of complications from CREST Syndrome /Scleroderma. Born January 23, 1959 in Quebec City, Canada, Christine was a proud citizen of Quebec Province and daughter of Rene Veilleux and Jacqueline Fortin Veilleux, who preceded her in life. She was accompanied in life by sisters Renee Veilleux (Robert Fullerton) and Marie-Claude Veilleux (Gilles Gaudreau), giants of emotional support in her waning years. Much of her childhood was spent perfecting her skills as a concert pianist under the tutelage of her mentor, Ursuline nun Soeur Marie-Claire. It was as a student and teacher at L'Ecole des Ursulines de Quebec, the oldest educational institution for girls in North America (1639) that Christine found her niche as an educator. Here she created milestones, winning First Prize twice as Choir Director in Canada's prestigious Aramis National Music Competition (1986 and 1987). This culminated in a nationally publicized solo choir performance for America's First Lady Nancy Reagan and Canada's First Lady Mila Mulroney. Coming to the United States with a dream to learn English, Christine carved out an unrivaled path as an educator, blazing a trail through Quebec's College Merici and Laval University, then California's UC Riverside, culminating in achieving a Doctor of Psychology (Cum Laude) degree from Southern California University (2003). Often called a "professional student" by her father, Rene, Christine earned major, minor and post-graduate degrees in Psychology, French, Communications, Public Relations, Education, Music, Theater and Piano. Christine's cherished her association with Santa Margarita Catholic High School, often turning down job offers from Ivy League schools offering tenure track. In her 22 years as an Advanced Program / Baccalaureate teacher of French and Psychology, Christine racked up an impressive list of awards and honors, among them the National Society of High School Scholars (the Claes Nobel Educator of Distinction, 2004 & 2007); the National Youth Leadership Forum on National Security (2010 & 2011); the Who's Who of American Teachers (2005); and Teacher of the Year, from the South Orange County Exchange Club (2006-2007). Christine left an indelible mark as a standout in Santa Margarita Catholic High School's annual Halloween Costume Contest, her creative concepts bringing great joy to peers and students alike. Her motto: "If your students love and respect you, they will excel." Christine is survived by her beloved husband and companion of 25 years, James William Holzer, with whom she traveled countless miles by sea, air and land; sisters Renee Veilleux and Marie-Claude Veilleux, who she treasured and loved unconditionally; and Robert Fullerton and Marcel Veilleux, who she loved as blood brothers. Christine will find rest in the Veilleux family chapel vault at La Souvenance / Lepine-Cloutier Athos Cemetary, Quebec City, Canada. Services will be held sometime in the Summer of 2021. "Je t'aimerai toujours Babytinette!"