Christina (Tina) Shriver

Christina (Tina) was born on January 16, 1945 in Glendale, California to June Johnson Shriver and William Johnston Shriver. At the end of World War II, Tina’s parents moved back to San Diego across the street from her maternal grandparents.

She graduated from Hoover High School in 1962 and went to San Diego Community College where she majored in mathematics. During junior high, high school, and college, she kept active playing tennis, softball, basketball, and field hockey.

She was very close to her family and especially to her brother, Tony, who was five years younger. She credited her mother with teaching her the meaning of unconditional love. She said her father and grandfathers taught her about independence and trust. Her cousins, Mickey and Jimmy Shriver, were strong, loving presences in her life. She was very grateful for the blessings of her family.

Tina married Peter H. Sullins in 1967. They lived in many places during their marriage: Escondido, CA; Derry, New Hampshire; Tampa, Florida; and Seattle and Bend, Washington. Tina loved the Pacific Northwest and spoke fondly of her nearly 30 years there. After Tina and Pete divorced in 1992, she eventually returned to San Diego where she could be closer to her brother’s family.

Over the years, she worked as an Executive Assistant, Office Services Manager, and Customer Service Manager. It is fitting that her vocation was oriented to service and care since she had a gift to make people feel special. Many of her friends speak of her extraordinarily warm heart and her exceptional loving kindness.

She was passionate about music and cooking and lovingly gave of herself through these avocations. In her spare time she sang in a chorus and quartet with the Sweet Adelines. She loved to sing and it was one of the joys of her life. She was part of a group that visited and sang for people to cheer them. She was an avid collector of many different kinds of music. She became a gourmet cook and spent a lot of time reading and perfecting her cooking and baking skills. Anyone lucky enough to share a meal made by her can attest to that!

Tina was a deeply spiritual person. She said she felt thoroughly blessed by her connection to God, Jesus and the spirit of universal Love. She spoke of a personal relationship, a friendship, with Jesus. She was grateful for the care she felt in her relationship with God, family members, and her close friends. She chose to meet life with gratitude and cheerfulness and encouraged others to do the same.

Tina had an open spirit. Many friends describe her intent listening.  One Friend described her presence as characterizing the Quaker posture of listening with an expectation that out of an encounter something fresh might appear.

Tina was an active member of the La Jolla Friends Meeting. She shared vocal ministry with us on First Day and she served on many committees. She was a much loved and cherished member of the Religious Society of Friends.

Tina is survived by her brother, Tony Shriver, sister-in-law, Irene Shriver (whom she called “sister-in-love”), nephews, Garrett and Bryan Shriver, and her niece, Sara Shriver, all of whom she adored.