Obituary for Christina Reynolds

Christina Leah Reynolds nee Collier, 66, died peacefully at home February 3, 2024, following a brief struggle with an aggressive cancer variant. She was with her immediate family.

“Chris” was born May 11, 1957, in Fremont, Ohio to Ronald and Janet Collier.

In high school, Chris was an honors scholar, a tennis athlete, actress and singer, having performed the lead in two musical productions and being a featured singer at numerous weddings. She also was active in forensics, as well as a pageant participant.  She qualified for the state tournament in forensics and reigned as Miss Sandusky Valley.

As an undergraduate at Ohio University, Chris was a national collegiate champion in Informative Speaking, and earned a B.S.C. degree.  She earned an M.A. in Communication at the University of New Mexico and was awarded her PhD in rhetoric from the University of Minnesota.  Chris was a lifelong educator, first at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for seven years, and at Otterbein University since 1990, where she was a Professor in the Communication Department, and served most recently as an Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs.  She was bestowed with Emerita status in February 2024. A great many of her former students have reached out since her passing expressing gratitude for her mentorship and teaching. Words and phrases most often used were: “My favorite professor,” “She inspired me to become a teacher,” “Best teacher I ever had!”

Chris had a strong penchant to fully immerse herself into helping others.  She supported the forensics program as a coach and was the Executive Director of the AFA-NIET.  As a “swim mom,” she dutifully drove her daughter to and from immeasurable practices and tournaments, but also went beyond that to volunteer as a swimming official and meet administrator, as well as stayed active in Central Ohio Swim Association activities.

Her hobbies and interests included family, travel, gardening, reading, and going antiquing with her “squad” of friends.

Most important of all, Chris was a true friend to everyone who had the fortune to meet her.  She had a contagious smile, a wicked sense of humor, and a laugh that endeared her to others.  Chris was truly a force of nature in this world.  She will be greatly missed by many, including her husband John Reynolds, and her daughter Ryan Reynolds, as well as close friends.

Additionally, Chris is survived by her sisters, Carrie Beier, Roni Blue, Georgia Collier; her brother, Ross Collier; many cousins, nephews, and nieces.  She was preceded in death by her parents, Ronald, and Janet Collier.

Given Chris’s love of gardening, the family asks you to consider live plants instead of flowers.  Also, consider donating to her preferred causes, including Otterbein University (development@otterbein.edu), the ASPCA (aspca.org), the ACLU (acluohio.org), or Pelotonia (Pelotonia.org).

Arrangements are with Hill Funeral Home.  Memorial service will be held February 16, 2024, at 11:30 a.m., with visitation at 10:30 a.m.