Christina Erteszek Obituary

Christina Erteszek passed from our presence on October 14, 2022. Born in 1949, she was the daughter of Jan and Olga Erteszek, who fled Poland in 1940 and founded the renowned Olga brand of women's under fashion. As a young fashion designer, Christina created the first jogging bra and established her own award-winning label, Olga's Christina. She later published a memoir about her parents' lives and her own journey through the fashion world in The First Lady of Underfashions.

She was a creator, an independent spirit, an educator, a hiker and a gardener. She loved skiing and yoga and warm evenings along Hermosa Creek with friends and her husband Fritz. She gave much to the Durango community, both as a philanthropist and as the co-founder and chair of Durango PlayFest. A generous advocate for arts and education, she left an indelible mark on Fort Lewis College as a director in the FLC Foundation and member of its executive committee.

Marcel Proust said, "Let us be grateful to the people who make us happy-they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."

Christina was that thoughtful and loving gardener. She was celebrated for her vibrance and charm, her intelligence and quirky commentary, her kindness and delightful companionship, and her memorable laughter. She is survived by her husband, her daughter Aaylah and son Hunter, her stepchildren, Fred, Laura, and Brad, and her grandchildren Bodhin and Aria, whom she adored.

To plant a garden is to believe in tomorrow.

Donations in her name may be made to Durango PlayFest or the Fort Lewis College Foundation.

Services will be private.