Christy Ann Almond

At 14:56 on Friday, July 3, 2026, the world changed.

After a years-long, defiantly heroic battle with an illness that we will not empower by naming, Christy’s soul was freed from the pain of her body, and the darkness of disease became the light of a million stars.

An accountant, an entrepreneur, a business woman, a wife, a daughter, a sister, a cousin, an aunt, a friend—these are the normal human things that defined this physical existence that was cut short. But to know this is not to know the boundlessly bright spirit of Christy. Christy’s spirit is the scent of a million beautiful fragrances that waft by you as you enter her home, enticing you and reminding you to enjoy the moment at hand.

Her spirit is the rebellious revving of a pristine race car engine, the open road and whiplash that jolts you out of whatever dark place your thoughts have taken you.

It’s the contented purring of a cat that knows exactly what you need and when you need it.

It’s defiance galore, sometimes confused with stubbornness, prepared to take on the world and change lives.

It’s fun, mirthful and mischievous. It prefers Superman ice cream, and a good joke at a seemingly inappropriate time. It defies stereotypes. It surprises you. It enamors you. It captivates you. And if you don’t play along, it chastises you into submission.

It’s a spirit that would recall the famous lines of Mark Twain: “The reports of my death are greatly exaggerated.”

Nothing could be truer, and no sentiment could be purer. Christy is larger than life. Her spirit does not just linger quietly on the sidelines. Christy would never do something as banal as “linger”. No, hers is that rare spirit that comes up from behind you, or while you are sleeping soundly, and hits you over the head with a hammer as if to say “Get up! We’ve got things to experience!”

Our thoughts are now with those left behind to carry her torch (and her hammer): Her husband, Ken Almond, a warrior of the first-class and her soulmate of 35 years; her parents, Jan and Ken Lickly, who love her with every fiber of their being; her brother, John, the closest thing to her twin, whose love and uproarious sense of humor she has relied on heavily in trying times; her ‘baby’ brother, Jeff, whose quietly intense love for her she consumed voraciously.

Many others, too, will have to work hard to project this spirit into the world for her: Her nieces, Erin and Alex, for whom she beams with pride; her nephews, John, Christpher and Nick—to all of whom she would bequeath her hammer of life; her tireless and supportive sister-in-law, Aileen; her sister-in-law, Jean, who is widely known for dropping everything no matter where you are in the world to come to your aid; her baby brother’s perfect- and long-awaited partner, Alicia; her aunt Judy and cousin Juli, whose thoughts and prayers for her have been steadfast; her cousin, Jen, whose life was indescribably enriched by their relationship; and her best friend, Sarah, who never let geography get in the way of eternal friendship. Many other extended family, friends and colleagues will now also feel the pain of trying to carry her spirit without a physical embrace. But all shall be brave, like Christy.

She is the glue that keeps them all together. She will be watching, and she will say that love shall rule the day. One does not say “no” to Christy.