Christen (Muffy) Harrington's Obituary
Christen Elise “Muffy” Harrington, age 24, of Madison, Wisconsin, formerly of Waupaca, Wisconsin, passed away on Thursday, December 13th at UW Health University Hospital, surrounded by her family, four days after a serious brain injury. Christen was the daughter of Mark Robert Harrington and Susan Jane Harrington nee Anderson of Waupaca, and was born on May 9th, 1994 at Riverside Medical Center in Waupaca. Christen was the middle of three daughters and is survived by sisters Angela (Michael) Amos and Anya Harrington. Christen had a soft heart, a happy and fun loving outlook on life, and a brilliant, creative mind. She loved to spend time with her friends and family, being comical and having fun. She was an avid reader and an artist. She had many great friends with whom she enjoyed life immeasurably. Christen attended Waupaca schools, graduating from Waupaca High School in 2012. She then attended the University of Wisconsin Madison. She was a true Badger at heart and enjoyed the UW experience to the fullest. One of her happiest days at UW was the day finals were cancelled due to a very heavy snow storm. She was given the option to keep her existing Chemistry grade without sitting for a final. She celebrated the news by sliding down Bascom Hill on lunch trays along with several hundred of her new best friends (fellow Badgers). At the UW, she discovered her interest in psychology. She graduated with pride from the UW in May 2016 having majored in Psychology with an emphasis in Criminal Justice. She continued her education studying art at Madison Area Technical College. Finally, she began graduate studies and was working toward a Master of Professional Studies in Art Therapy and Creativity Development degree through Pratt Institute (Brooklyn, New York). Christen loved art. She especially enjoyed paint, charcoal, and ceramics. She left a legacy of many beautiful pieces of art. With her love for people and for art she was thoroughly enjoying her chosen career path in Art Therapy and planned to graduate with her Master’s degree from Pratt Institute in May of 2020.
Christen’s final act on earth was one of giving. In life, she had taken the time to become a registered organ donor. When she left this life, she passed on all that she could to save or help others. Her act of donation has saved several lives this holiday season and potentially improved many additional lives. Only about four percent of the population dies under conditions that make organ donation possible. The gifts of her very young and healthy organs are rare lifesaving opportunities for the recipients. Christen, “Muffy,” would encourage all to become registered donors at https://health.wisconsin.gov/donorRegistry/public/donate.html.
Christen is survived and fondly remembered forever by her sisters, her parents, her paternal grandmother Violet L. Harrington nee Olson, her maternal grandparents James D. Anderson and Barbara A. Anderson nee Will, her significant other Matthew Louko, her niece Violet Amos, her nephew John Amos, her uncles and aunts Kent (Terry) Harrington, Kurt (Pamela) Harrington, Susan (Michael) Fairbairn nee Harrington, Jennifer (Judson) Gross nee Anderson, Lynn (David) Johnson nee Anderson, her first cousins Jason (Nicole) Harrington, Dawn (Jody) Hetzel nee Harrington, Ashley Harrington, Eric Harrington, Matthew Fairbairn, Emily Fairbairn, Erin Johnson, Matthew Johnson, Mason Gross, Elizabeth Gross, Cariesa Gross, and Coleton Gross, her first cousins once removed Hannah, Haley, and Jacob Hetzel, and Inga Harrington, nine great aunts and uncles, and other cousins. Christen was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather Myron H. “Mike” Harrington when she was age 12, her great grandmother Hilma (Leonard) Olson nee Johnson who lived to attend Christen’s 9th birthday party, and her great grandmother Eunice (Waldemar) Will nee Bucholtz who passed in 2010.
Visitation will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 206 East Badger Street, Waupaca, Wisconsin on Thursday Dec 20th, from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm, and Friday December 21st from 9:00 am until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 am; Reverend Andrew Behrendt, Reverend Dione Miller, and Reverend Bryan Robertson officiating. Interment will be at Lakeside Memorial Park at a later date.
Memorial donations may be made to the Christen Harrington Memorial Fund care of Trinity Lutheran Church of Waupaca, Wisconsin. Those gifts will go to Lutheran World Relief, ELCA Good Gifts, Trinity Lutheran Church of Waupaca, and Crossways Camping Ministries, in addition to any other family specified memorials. A. J. Holly & Sons of Waupaca, Wisconsin is assisting the family with arrangements.
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