Christine Mary Anne Cicci

We are profoundly saddened to announce the passing of Christine Mary Anne Cicci on October 14, 2025, in Auburn, Alabama. Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on February 2, 1952, Chris embodied a spirit of love, family, loyalty, generosity, education, and dedication to a life of service to others. 

Chris grew up in a family of eleven children. As the oldest girl, she was instrumental in helping to raise and serve as a role model to her younger siblings, something that she cherished then and throughout her life. 

Chris received a degree in Elementary Education from Edinboro State College (PA) and taught third and fourth grade at Poff Elementary in Hampton Township, near Pittsburgh. She later received a master’s degree in Language Communications from the University of Pittsburgh. During that time, she met and married her husband, David. Chris taught at Poff until 1980, when their first son, Corey, was born. 

Chris, David, and Corey moved to Arlington, Texas, in 1981, and subsequently to Austin, Texas, in 1982, when David returned to graduate school. In 1983, Chris and David welcomed the arrival of a second son, Darby, to their family. Chris enjoyed her time in Austin, raising their boys, teaching pre-school, and enrolling in chemistry and biology classes at The University of Texas, in preparation for an eventual career shift to the medical field. In 1987, Chris and her young family moved to Auburn, Alabama, when David accepted a faculty position at Auburn University. Soon thereafter, Chris was able to complete the requirements for admission to Auburn’s School of Pharmacy, which she began in 1988. Chris quickly fell in love with pharmacy and became an outstanding student, all while managing a household and raising two young boys. After her graduation, she was fortunate enough to secure a position in the Pharmacy Department at East Alabama Medical Center (EAMC) nearby their home. 

At EAMC, Chris worked as a Staff and Intensive Care Pharmacist, and she eventually became the Clinical Pharmacy Manager, as well as the Residency Program Director. During her time at EAMC, she also earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Florida, and then continued her career at EAMC for a total of 29 years of service. In 2018, she and David both retired together, and enjoyed traveling, visiting their beloved granddaughters, to whom she will always be remembered as “Grandma Beanie,” and spending time with close friends. One adventure she loved was living in New Orleans, Louisiana, for two years, where she and David became involved in background acting for TV shows and movies, which they continued later in Atlanta when they returned to Auburn. In all, Chris appeared in over a dozen different productions. 

Chris was preceded in death by her beloved parents, John and Catherine Smith, whom she often spoke of with loving remembrance. Left to celebrate her legacy is her husband of 48 years, David, her adoring sons Corey (Christine), and Darby, and two marvelous granddaughters, Everly and Hallie, who were the light of her life. She is also survived by brothers John, Jim, Paul (Monica), Pete (Joyce), Bill, and Brian (Shelley), sisters Kathy Gordon, Patty Carr, Barbara (Jeff) Watts, and Paula (Jim) Bayer, as well as many nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews. Her family and a long list of lifelong friends hold dear the treasured memories woven together by moments of laughter, wisdom, and unwavering support.

Chris lived a life of caring, humility, love, generosity, and service. She left us a legacy of which we are all extremely proud, and tremendously grateful that she was a part of our lives. We miss her smile, her wit, her knowledge that she shared, her character, her loyalty, and her love. 

A Funeral Mass for Christine will be held at St Michael The Archangel Catholic Church in Auburn, AL at 11:00 am on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025. Her cremains will be placed at the Columbarium at St. Michael’s immediately afterward, which will be followed by a luncheon in the church hall.