Christine Ann Alper

Christine Ann Alper passed gently, peacefully and with grace in her sleep in the early morning hours of May 4 following a recurrence of cancer. The disease affected her but in no way defined her. Her husband, Charles Whitten, was by her side. She was 58 years old.

All who knew Chris were touched by her love, her kindness, her delight in family, friends, and the simple joy of everyday life. Born in Allentown, Pennsylvania in the beautiful Lehigh Valley, she moved with her family to San Diego in 1974, where she attended college. She began her longstanding love of the beach and the ocean - a love that continued to grow all throughout her life. Since she was young, Chris had a strong interest in science, quantum physics and the metaphysical world. Though she never felt a connection to a particular organized religion, she always was deeply inspired and moved by nature and its beauty. Among her spiritual interests have been Native American studies, eastern philosophy and the psychology of positive thought. She always had a yearning to know the mysteries of the universe and explore higher consciousness. Her quest had been to seek and learn, and then share it with others. She embraced the Buddhist philosophy of kindness and compassion for others and the Native American idea of the interconnection of all life

Christine and her first husband, Don Schortmann, moved to the Lake Tahoe area in 1979. They brought two beautiful children, Christopher and Zack into the world. They founded Redwood Printing. Chris worked for many years at Shehadi Toyota dealership and then Cardinale Way Toyota in South Lake Tahoe. She and her sister, Maxine, created meditation CDs. In 2013 she achieved a dream of concentrating on spiritual work and opened Rejuvenate Sauna.

She is survived by her husband, Charles Whitten; sisters, Maxine Alper of South Lake Tahoe and Beverly Alper-Chaney of Silt, Colorado; brothers, Matthew Alper of Doylestown, Pennsylvania, Michael Alper of Las Vegas, Nevada, Marc Alper of South Lake Tahoe; son, Zack Schortmann and girlfriend Kass Green, of South Lake Tahoe; son, Christopher Schortmann and daughter-in-law Angela (Marielos) Schortmann of South Lake Tahoe, and her beloved grandson, Isaiah Schortmann, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces and nephews.

As you attune to the angels that are surrounding Chris, see her filled with the presence of her true soul - radiant, nestled in the Loving Heart of the Creator.

Thank you for your love, prayers and support. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such loving friends. We will miss her every day.

The family will be holding daily vigils at 2247 Winnemucca Court (off Winnemucca Avenue), beginning Tuesday, May 5 through Friday, May 8, from 6 pm – 8 pm and a final open house on Saturday, May 9 from 2 pm-8 pm with a Memorial Ceremony at 4 pm.