On January 23, 2012, Tina Christopoulos Crudo passed away at the age of 49, after an 18 month battle with colon cancer. She is survived by her two young daughters Nicola and Christina, her husband Frank, her mother Georgina, her sisters Lisa and Mary, her brother Kostas and all their families.

Tina was known for her kindness, dedication and her outstanding personality. She was a great listener and a compassionate friend who provided tremendous support whenever needed. Tina greeted everyone with a sparkling smile and a welcoming heart. Her laugh and positive energy were contagious. She was a true lover of life; spending her free time enjoying the outdoors, going for walks, loving animals, practicing yoga, and entertaining her family and friends.

Born in Patras, Greece in 1962, she moved with her family to Vancouver at a very young age. She graduated from Prince of Wales High school, and got her Bachelors of Education at UBC. Tina was a devoted and accomplished primary school teacher with the Vancouver School Board for twenty years. Her first years of teaching were at Graham Bruce Elementary. The last ten years of her teaching career were at Kerrisdale Annex, teaching mainly grade 2 and 3. Her students always felt how much she cared for them by the warmth in her voice and her big empathetic hugs. She was known amongst her peers and the community for her friendly personality and teaching excellence.

With her heart of gold, Tina truly imparted love, laughter, and life into everyone she met, including her students, friends and family. She is remembered as a remarkable woman, a loving mother, a thoughtful daughter, a fun sister, one of a kind teacher and a true source of joy. We are all saddened by such a great loss, and she is greatly missed.

With her passing, we have lost a creative teacher, a nurturing mentor, and a wonderful friend. She will remain in our hearts forever. Tina’s memory is a blessing to us all.

In her memory, Tina’s family and friends have created the Tina Christopoulos Crudo Scholarship in Education. A $1,000 award is offered annually for a student in the Kindergarten – Primary Program Cohort of the teacher education program who demonstrates academic excellence.

Tina was a passionate teacher and who had a positive impact on countless students during her twenty year career as an educator. Your gift will pay tribute to Tina’s life and celebrate her tremendous passion for teaching students.

Congratulations to Meahgan Pelchat, winner of the 2016/17 Scholarship.