Remembering Christina St. Pierre

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Sadly, it has come to our attention that Manchester-by-the-Sea Town Clerk Christina St. Pierre, 35, died on July 8 after an illness.  St. Pierre was an example of a true local’s local who served 12 years as a municipal town clerk, first in her hometown of Essex as the town’s first appointed Town Clerk and then, in 2018 when she was hired for the same position in Manchester to replace the retiring Denise Samolchuk.   

In Manchester, St. Pierre quietly and capably managed the modernization of many traditional aspects of her office.  She helped introduce the town’s first electronic voting process at Town Meeting and, more recently, organized the town’s election last month in the face of social distancing associated with the COVID-19 pandemic.  

To everyone who worked with her, St. Pierre served with passion for her position. 

“Christina was an extremely competent individual who always strived to improve things and move forward,” said Brendhan Zubricki, town administrator of Essex.  “Her work getting the town archives in shape was outstanding and will serve as one constant reminder of her care and dedication.  Christina will be missed here in Essex and everywhere else she touched lives.” 

Greg Federpiel, Manchester’s town administrator, agreed: “To Manchester residents, she was a constant resource for helpful information. Whether it be for a beach sticker, marriage license, parking ticket or dog license or to simply ask directions, she was always eager and happy to help.” 

At Manchester Town Hall staff gathered recently to reflect on Christina’s time with the town, recalling that she was the clear front runner in a strong pool of applicants for the position.  Her pride in the profession was evident and  
she gave back by serving as a mentor to other Town Clerks even at her relatively young age. 

Christina made multiple contributions to the Town during her tenure.  Besides bringing electronic voting, St. Pierre made important advancements in archival record keeping, and assisted boards and committees in bettering their agenda postings and meeting minutes.  Christina was Chief Election Official overseeing, with accuracy, the essential details of every Local Election, National Election, Primary and Annual Town Meeting.  Christina also served as Registrar of Vital Statistics, Administrator of the Annual Town Census, and overseer of municipal and public records.  She proudly served as Justice of the Peace performing many marriages.  Her most recent duties included conducting the delayed town elections and swearing in new Fire Chief, Jason Cleary. 

“Our prayers and heart-felt well wishes are extended to her family, especially her children, and dear friends,” said Federspiel. “Christina was not just a colleague but a friend who will be missed.” 

St. Pierre was a wife of Jason A. St. Pierre and devoted mother to four children including two stepsons with her husband as well as the couple’s two young children, Jacob and Lauren.  A funeral service is planned for 11 a.m. Friday, July 17, graveside in the Spring Street Cemetery, Essex.  Family and friends are invited and asked to wear a facial covering and respect social distancing.  In lieu of flowers, contributions in her name may be made to Massachusetts General Hospital Neuro-Oncology Clinical Research.

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