Christa Ernst

WEST BOYLSTON-On Friday, February 22, 2019, Christa Ernst, loving mother of four children passed away peacefully in her sleep at Care One of Millbury. She was 98 years old.

Christa was born on November 28, 1920 in Kerpen, Germany to Bernhardine and Heinrich Herper. After marrying her American soldier, Bill, in Germany on August 25, 1947, she left her family and homeland to travel to America. She, with the help of her husband, raised four children; Ellenore, Bill, Linda and Peter.
She is predeceased by her loving husband, Bill, in 2010 her parents Bernhardine and Heinrich Herper, brothers Peter, at the young age of 3, and Heinz and her sister Margaret Brand and grandson, Joshua Ernst.

Christa belonged to the generation that experienced the devastation of war and suffered the hardships that came after. Having lived through this turbulent time is probably what helped to develop her strength of character, her determination to see things through, her tireless work ethic and her positive outlook on life. Nothing was impossible, challenging maybe, but not impossible.

She modeled these traits for her children by persevering to learn the English language so that she could pass the American Citizenship test, which she did. She worked tirelessly to help provide for the family as a waitress and then hostess for Howard Johnson's and Worcester Country Club. She later decided to take courses in Boston to become a travel agent. She eventually became a partner in the agency which was called Fox Travel Agency on Foster St. in Worcester. She worked until she was about 83 years old. She loved her coworkers and her clients. She especially enjoyed working with area businesses such as Morgan Construction and Nypro.

She loved travelling, especially going back to her homeland to visit family, baking and cooking. She loved music, singing and dancing. Her family meant the world to her. Grand-children and Great Grand-children made her smile and her eyes twinkle.

She is survived by her four children; Ellenore Porter and her husband, Edward, William Ernst and his wife Katherine, Linda Coelho and her partner Scott Sayce and Peter Ernst and his wife Darlene. Grandchildren are: Amy Driscoll, Michael Ernst and Christa Fairbanks. Great-grandchildren: William Ernst, Andrew Ernst, Riley Driscoll, Liam Driscoll and Aria Fairbanks.

She has many nieces and nephews in Germany who have loved her and will miss her also: Renate Groetsch, Heinz-Josef Brand, Udo Irnich, Rolf Irnich, Claudia Bretal, Marita Stickelman. She has second and third generations who will feel her loss as well.
Christa was a wonderful woman, a caring loving mother and a thoughtful trusted friend. All who came in contact with her would remember her. She will be greatly missed.

The family would like to thank the staff at Tatnuck Park of Worcester and Care One of Millbury for the loving and compassionate care they provided to our mom, Christa.

Visiting Hours to Celebrate Christa's Life will be held Wednesday, February 27, from 4 to 7pm at Fay Brothers Funeral Home, 1 West Boylston St. A Funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, February 28 at 10:30am in St. Christopher's Church, 950 West Boylston St. Burial will be held in Mount Vernon Cemetery. Memorial donations in memory of Christa may be made to: Veteran's Inc. 69 Grove St.Worcester, 01605.