Obituary of Chris A. Wight

Chris A. Wight of Bemus Point, NY, died peacefully in her home on Thursday, September 30, 2021. She was 69. Chris was an ever-present fixture in Bemus Point, a prominent local business owner and community leader, and a tireless advocate for the village she loved and called home for her entire life. "Chris", "Red", or "Mimi" is survived by her mother Charlotte Anderson, her loving husband Rick Wight, both of Bemus Point; her daughter Vanessa Wight (Nick Curabba) of Middletown, NY; her son Jamie Wight (Lindsay Wight) of Mount Pleasant, SC; her granddaughters, Charlie and Sidney; her grandsons, Connor, Ozzy, and Austin; and her six brothers and sisters: Fran Anderson (Larry Shrout); Margie Johnson (Randy Johnson); Deb Anderson (Pete Mudgett); Jim Anderson (Glenn Sproles); Liz Davis (Keith Davis); Mike Anderson (Lydia Anderson). Her vision and drive helped to develop Bemus Point's business district into its current diverse and thriving form. Under her leadership and direction as proprietor, Skillman & Wight consistently ranked among the most successful businesses in town, catering to visitors and residents alike with a wide selection of tasteful apparel and home goods. Her influential sense of style and eye for beauty is still evidenced today. After achieving business success, Chris moved to local government, where she served on the Bemus Point Village Board for several years, during which she played key leadership roles in the village's beautification efforts. Always energized, Chris spearheaded the creation of a summer recreation program for Bemus Point youth. She somehow also found time to volunteer at the WCA Hospital, LSS GA Children's Home, and the Bemus Point Elementary School for many years. When she wasn't engaged in making her community a better place, Chris loved to spend time in her spectacular gardens that over the years played as the perfect magical backdrop to her daughter's wedding, family portraits, countless birthday celebrations, holiday get-togethers, and roaring bon-fires. Her artistry extended to the kitchen, as well, where she loved to spend time baking. Chris always had a jar filled with warm cookies for family and friends, and her production of Christmas cookies and other confections every year was epic. When she wasn't baking her famous chocolate chip cookies, much to the delight of her children and grandchildren, she was shipping them. Friends and family knew that whatever her many accomplishments, Chris was most proud of her family, and especially of her children and grandchildren. A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Bemus Point, NY on Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at 10:00 a.m. The Rev. Todd Remick, pastor will be celebrant. A small reception with light refreshments will be held following the mass in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish Hall. A private inurnment will be held in the Bemus Point Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in memory of Chris Wight to The Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Institute or to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care. Gifts can be made to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation at PO Box 931517, Cleveland, OH 44193-1655 or made online at https://my.clevelandclinic.org/giving. Gifts to Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care can be made to 20 W. Fairmount Ave. Lakewood, NY 14750 or made online at https://chpc.care/donate/memorials_donations.