Christine M. "Chris" Gesinski

Christine M. Gesinski (aka Chris and "T") joined the angels in heaven on July 2, 2026. Chris left this world knowing she could pick up where she left off with her parents Don and Karen Gesinski, brother-in-law Rob Becker, grandparents Edward and Estelle Ignaszak, and William and Aggie Gesinski. She was most looking forward to a hug from her mom again. Chris is the loving sister of Terry Gesinski and Lori Becker (Pete Jankowski). Cherished aunt of Emma Gesinski-Rose, Robert and Joshua Becker. Dear niece of Robert (Suzanne) Ignaszak and Fr. Michael Ignaszak. Special cousin of David and Vicki Ignaszak. Chris is also further survived by other extended family and friends. Chris was born in Milwaukee, WI on June 14, 1969 and remained close to the Milwaukee area her entire life. She was a proud graduate of Saint John Kanty Elementary School, Milwaukee Trade and Technical High School, and UW-Milwaukee. Chris embraced everything the city had to offer, from basketball courts with chain link nets and local concert venues to the Milwaukee Public Museum, Mitchell Park Domes, and the Milwaukee County Zoo. Beyond local day trips, she loved embarking on adventures with family and friends to places like the Wisconsin Dells, Six Flags Great America, the Mall of America, and the Museum of Science and Industry. Chris treasured creating lasting memories with her niece and nephews oftentimes taking them to movies she knew nothing about and playing arcade games at Dave & Busters. Throughout her life, Chris had many unique titles, including fairy godmother, party planner extraordinaire, jokester, secret elf, editor, and most recently, 2026 NCAA Men’s March Madness champion! While those closest to her had the joy of seeing her bring these roles to life, Chris’s profound thoughtfulness reached far beyond her immediate circle. She truly loved doing random acts of kindness and frequently shared her warmth with complete strangers. Dedicated to making others smile, she possessed a subtle gift for bringing humor into everything she did, always managing to find light even in the most difficult situations. Music held a special place in Chris's heart, serving as a constant source of fun and inspiration. She carried her earbuds everywhere, ensuring her favorite songs were always just a moment away. Some of her favorite artists were Cher, Bette Middler, Barbra Streisand, the Go-Go’s, and Mandisa. This deep love for music carried her through her final hours on earth. Surrounded by family and friends, her room transformed into a dance party with glow sticks and the Go-Go’s "We Got the Beat" blasting in the background. Simply the Best and Wind Beneath My Wings are the perfect personal anthems for Chris. Our family extends our deepest gratitude to all the healthcare professionals who cared for Chris over the past year, with a special thank you to the 8th floor ICU team at Aurora St. Luke’s. We also want to thank Zilber Hospice for ensuring Chris's final days were peaceful and comfortable. Throughout her life, Chris was blessed with extraordinary "angels on earth" watching over her. Thank you, Dr. Laura Duncan, for providing her with loving care for so many years. We are also incredibly grateful to Jesslyn M. from the Aurora Palliative team for guiding Chris and our family through a very difficult time, and to Sarah S. from Aurora Hospice for helping Chris have the best final days possible. As Mister Rogers said, "look for the helpers." Chris was truly surrounded by some of the very best helpers. "Chris, we will hold things down here on earth while you serve as the wind beneath our wings forever." Two organizations close to Chris's heart were National Kidney Foundation (https://kidneytribute.rallybound.org/Donate) and St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org/donate). Memorial Visitation will be held on Saturday, July 25, 2026 from 9:00 – 10:00 am at St. John Paul II Parish – St. Alexander Church (1568 W. Holt Avenue, Milwaukee) with the celebration of Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Inurnment will follow at Mount Olivet Cemetery.