SOUTH PORTLAND – Chrysta Ayer, of South Portland, died peacefully on March 5, 2024. She was 71.
After her education at Northeastern University, she worked in radiology at Tufts New England in Boston, Mass. until she left to help her parents in South Portland. Several years later, she returned to the workplace at TD Banknorth. She retired in 2019 and moved to Ashton Gardens in Portland.
Chrysta is remembered for her quick laugh at herself, and with others. Everyone around her enjoyed her appreciation of the absurd. She lived frugally, but was generous with her family and friends. A keen animal lover, she cherished her dog, Patches.
Also remembered and admired for her arts and crafts, Chrysta created beautiful crewel, knitting, embroidery and macrame, as well as oil and watercolor painting. One of the best things about joining the Ayer clan was getting one of her amazing, customized Christmas stockings. It was said that Chrysta could knit a car if she had the right yarn. The clothing and toys she made for her nieces and nephew have become family heirlooms. An avid reader, Chrysta loved comparing and discussing fantasy novels.
Even strangers commented on the beauty of the baskets Chrysta wove. In fact, she was often begged to make baskets for special occasions. An inspired and creative cook, Chrysta often spent her vacations at her brother’s in Vermont preparing wonderful meals with his family. They looked forward to the dozens of fancy cookies she brought to Vermont for the holidays.
We share many fond memories of how well she taught card and board games. The perfect aunt, Chrysta always made time for a game with her nieces and nephew. Even so, none of them could best her at Cribbage or Scrabble.
She was predeceased by her parents, Muriel and Skolfield Ayer; and her brothers Bruce and Alan Ayer.
Chrysta is survived by her sister-in-law, Claire Ayer of Addison, Vt.; her niece Gretchen Ayer and her son, Max of Middlebury, Vt.; her niece, Allison Ayer and her husband Michael Scheiman of Oakland, Calif.; and her nephew, Nathan Ayer, his wife Marie, and their children Julia and Christopher of East Islip, N.Y. She also leaves her life-long best friend and partner in high jinx, Cindy St. Pierre of Raymond, who considered Chrysta “the other mother” of Cindy’s children Jessica, Adam and Charlie.
A graveside ceremony will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery in Biddeford on May 11 at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland.
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