Obituary

Chrissy (Haley) Harem passed away December 11, 2020, from complications arising from surgery to remove a benign brain tumor. Chrissy’s husband Ryan and her entire family are devastated by this sudden and tragic loss, but we’re especially heartbroken for her two children, Cole (age 3) and Silas (age 18 months).

Chrissy was born in Mount Vernon, Washington on May 11, 1984. As a child, she was funny and sweet, but also fearless and competitive, especially when it came to basketball, her grades in math classes, or her arguments with her siblings. She was an exceptionally devoted and loyal friend, described by her childhood friends as witty, smart, and kind.

She was devoted to her Catholic faith and community as well. Chrissy was baptized and confirmed at Immaculate Conception Church, and on April 20, 2013, she married Ryan Harem at the same church. She went to Immaculate Conception School, and later Mount Vernon High School and Western Washington University, where she graduated with a degree in math and later obtained a master’s degree in business administration.

Chrissy loved the outdoors, and she and Ryan, along with their dog, Knight, had adventure after adventure exploring the Pacific Northwest, from hiking and camping to kayaking and white-water rafting. They occasionally got to explore additional places across the west, visiting parks and friends in California, South Dakota, and everywhere in between. Eventually, Chrissy and Ryan started bringing Cole and then Silas – and all of the equipment that would keep them safe and warm – along for outdoor activities. When the weather kept her indoors, Chrissy focused her energy on hobbies like baking and candy-making, experimenting with everything from truffles to spruce tip jam.

Chrissy loved a challenge, and was never intimidated, whether she was climbing mountains, encountering wolverines, or earning an MBA with high honors – the last of which was accomplished while she was working full time, pregnant, and then balancing life with a newborn. Most of all, Chrissy epitomized grace, and always had the ability to joke, no matter the circumstances. As one of her classmates noted, she exemplified the philosophy, “Don’t sweat the small stuff.”

Life will not be the same without Chrissy, but we are fortunate to have had her in our lives and we will cherish the years we had with her. We’re heartbroken that Cole and Silas didn’t get more time with the mother that loved them so, so much, but there is comfort in knowing the best of Chrissy lives on in her sons. Cole already has his mom’s imagination and smile, and Silas has her eyes and curiosity. We can’t wait to see which of Chrissy’s other traits show up in these two incredible kids.

In addition to the impact she had on everyone who knew her, as an organ donor, Chrissy also saved the lives of seven people she’d never met.

Chrissy is survived by her loving husband Ryan Harem; her sons Cole Harem and Silas Harem; her parents, Joseph and Alice Haley; her sister Tricia Haley; her brothers Marty Haley, Brian (Mandy) Haley, Joey Haley, and Danny (Kristen) Haley; her father-in-law Randy Harem; her mother-in-law and stepfather-in-law Terry and John Cronin; her brother-in-law Ben Harem; her nieces Desiree Harem, Lizzie Haley, Bridget Haley, and Melanie Haley; and her nephews Austin Harem, Christian Harem, and Andrew Haley.

Following a private, family service held at Immaculate Conception Church in Mount Vernon, Washington, on December 21, 2020, Chrissy was laid to rest at Bayview Cemetery in Bellingham, Washington.  In memory of Chrissy, a GoFundMe page has been created at https://www.gofundme.com/f/in-memory-of-chrissy-haley to help ensure that Cole and Silas have the financial support they need going forward.