Gilda Christensen
July 28, 1951 - January 6, 2010

Gilda Christensen, a beautiful and valiant spirit on this earth, passed away on January 6, 2010. Gilda was a charismatic, beautiful and talented individual who accomplished many things in her life

 

.Gilda was born July 28, 1951. She was the first of five children.

 

 

 

 

With both parents, working to make ends meet, Gilda bore a lot of responsibility for her siblings from an early age.

 

This experience created a nurturing individual who had a special way with dogs and small children. Any dog of any temperament was soon her best friend.

 

 


 

 

 

Any child from any background was drawn to her sparkling blue eyes, sweet smile and playful spirit and would soon adopt her as "Grandma".

While young, she was big for her age, very intelligent, a gifted athlete and a natural born leader. She was always known for sticking up for the underdog and standing up to bullies. By the age of 19, Gilda was a mother and eventually raised two children, Dean Terry Seanor and Pandi Joell Seanor.


In addition to motherhood, Gilda excelled at everything she set her mind to. She had her own real estate brokerage before she was 30. She raised champion St. Bernard's. She started a comedy club called Dr. Giggles where she met her husband of 26 years, Terry Christensen. She produced a stage show for the Marina Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip. She had a genius for marketing real estate and pioneered the "Fix Up For Down" program for selling residential homes in Arizona during the recession in the 80's. After that, she built a chain of bridal and formal wear stores called, "Fairy Godmothers" in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Gilda was a gifted writer and copywriter. Gilda was also a filmmaker who wrote and directed a musical comedy called, "The Town that Outlawed Christmas".



Gilda was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at the age of 40. She was sealed to her beloved husband, Terry Christensen, in the Mesa, Arizona temple. She had a great testimony of Jesus Christ, which she shared often.

Gilda had an indomitable spirit and was always an optimist. Her motto was "you never fail until you stop trying." She was generous to a fault and was blessed with great gifts of spiritual discernment. She touched the lives of many with her insight and kind consideration.

Gilda loved her grandchildren with all her heart. She took great joy in their company and accomplishments. She was famous for her "10 Days of Christmas" gift series that always promised surprise and mischief. Gilda had a great sense of fun and a wonderful sense of humor. She will be missed terribly.

Gilda is survived by her husband, Terry Christensen, her children Dean Seanor and his wife, Stacie Wahl-Seanor of Paynesville, Minnesota, Pandi Backus and her husband, Charles Backus of Hyrum, Utah, her parents, Gillie and Pansy Gilly, her sisters, Jacqueline Martinez of Las Vegas NV, Tamea Smith of Mesa, AZ, Jubie Rueschenberg of Queen Creek, AZ and a brother, Gabriel Hughes of Avondale, AZ. She also has four beloved grandchildren, Alec Backus, 13, Kade Backus 12, Cali Backus, 7, and Mason Backus, 5 and nieces, Alahna Smith, Blaise Smith, Kama Barshtak, Kayde Hughes and Eyla Hughes an nephews Austin Smith, Beau Smith, Daubin Barshtak and Gabriel Hughes Jr.

Gilda loved her husband Terry with all her heart.
Her sweet spirit will never be forgotten.