With great sadness, we share the passing of Christine Hampshire on December 5, 2024.
I first met Christine in 1995, during my tenure as President of the Calgary Booster Club. At the time, we recognized the need to welcome women into the Club, a decision long overdue. We agreed to introduce at least two women to ensure a supportive transition, and Bernie Asbell, a leader at Lindsay Park, nominated Sue Chambers and Christine Hampshire—both highly active in the local sports community.
Past President Dr. Brent Humphries and I met with them to share the Booster Club’s mission and invite them to join as our first female Directors. Both eagerly accepted and were warmly welcomed. However, as Christine’s responsibilities at Lindsay Park and in the swimming world continued to grow, she found the workload overwhelming and made the difficult decision to step down within her first year.
Christine was already making an impact as an instructor, volunteer, and sport administrator in swimming, helping thousands of Calgary children learn to swim. She later transitioned to synchronized swimming, where she became a key figure at all levels of the sport. In recognition of her contributions, the Booster Club named her an Honoured Athletic Leader in 2006.
In 2015, Christine was again celebrated as the Calgary Booster Club Sportsperson of the Year for her 35 years of service in developing and expanding synchronized swimming in Calgary. She held many leadership roles, including:
- Judges’ Chairperson
- President and Competitions Chair for Synchro Canada
- President of the Calgary Aquabelles
Her dedication was further recognized in 2011, when she was inducted into the Alberta Sports Hall of Fame—a well-earned honor for a remarkable leader and volunteer.
Christine embodied the values of the Calgary Booster Club, representing us with integrity, dedication, and passion at the local, provincial, national, and international levels. Her warmth, professionalism, and tireless commitment to sport will never be forgotten.
We will miss her dearly. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. God Bless.