Saratoga Springs, NY- Christine Michelle Holehan (Firlit), 75, of Utica NY, passed away peacefully on January 11, 2025, surrounded by her loving family in Saratoga Springs, NY, due to complications from a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Utica, NY, she was the beloved daughter of the late, Leo and Ann Firlit (Knych).

Chris graduated from St. Frances de Sales in 1967, then went on to graduate with a nursing degree from St. Elizabeth's College of Nursing in 1970, where she would serve and care for patients at St. Elizabeth's Hospital in Utica for over 30 years. Chris would later earn her Master's Degree in Risk Management from Loyola University (Chicago). One of her crown achievements was serving as project leader for the unveiling of the inpatient cardiac unit that provided an outlet for patients to have open heart surgery in Central New York.

Chris served as a lifelong Registered Nurse at St. Elizabeth's before becoming the hospital's Director of Risk Management and Vice President. In her later years, Chris also served as a top advisor at the Oneida County Health Department in Utica, NY.

Chris loved animals and was an avid music lover and enjoyed live concerts. Chris was also a gigantic fan of Syracuse Men's Basketball games, rarely missing the opportunity to watch and cheer for the Orange from afar or in person at the "Loud House." Chris found comfort in cooking her homemade Polish delights for her family.

Chris liked to push her luck from time to time as well, often playing to win with lotto tickets, slots and horse racing at the Racino and Saratoga Race Track.  Chris also loved warm weather, the beach and Aruba held a special place in her heart for some of the greatest times of her life spent with family and friends.

Chris is survived by her two children Erin Holehan, of Mars, Pennsylvania, and Peter Holehan II, of Saratoga Springs, NY, as well as her sister and brother-in-law, Ruth and Dr. John Thomas, of Saratoga Springs and sister Patricia Hughes, of Saratoga Springs and three grandchildren Brayden "Boo Boo", Sydney "Squiddy" and Anna "Buttercup" Ours, numerous Firlit cousins, close friends, and her two cat companions, Leo and Louie.

What made her special was her generosity, kindness and good nature, sense of humor, integrity, compassion, wittiness, positivity and love. She made people feel welcome and would go out of her way to brighten a person's day.

As per Chris' wishes, private services will be held at the convenience of the family.

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/ Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Home, 628 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Memorial donations in Chris' memory may be directed to her favorite charities Operation Smile, memorial donations must be called in at 1-888 -677-6453 (Please mention your name, address and that you'd like to make a gift in honor of Christine Holehan's name and you may provide a message for the family to receive) and the Anita's Stevens Swan Humane Society (https://www.anitas-sshs.org/ways-to-give/sponsor-a-kennel/) to sponsor a cat kennel in Christine's name. When you make your gift, you can include text for a plaque on your sponsored kennel: "In Memory of Christine Holehan."

Online condolences may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.