Cristina Maria Sawicki-Hull passed to the great beyond on June 6, 2021, at Palo Verde Hospital with her husband, Bob, at her side. Cris was born to Boleslaw and Camilla Sawicki in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on May 30, 1949. She was the firstborn of parents seeking opportunity after leaving war-torn Poland. They immigrated to the U.S. on a freighter in 1954, settling in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Cris attended the University of Massachusetts Amherst, graduating in 1972 with her degree in sociology. While there she met Bob Hull of Blythe. They set out on a tour across the country to Portland, Oregon, and married there in 1973. They then moved to Blythe, where they built their home and farming operation and raised their two sons. Cris was not initially impressed with the desert but soon grew to love exploring it with the Hull family, including her parents-in-law, Dale and Mabel Hull. She found her professional calling as a Riverside County probation officer, touching countless lives over the course of her 30 years of service, and retiring in 2006.

Cris was involved locally in the Junior Women's Club and the Parent Project. She was an avid reader, a talented cook, and a lifelong learner. She had a natural curiosity and zest for experiencing new things – art, culture, cuisine, and a diversity of friends. She traveled extensively, with family and as part of Amerman student trips to Europe, visiting countries ranging from France and Finland to South Africa, Egypt, China, and Argentina, and making many returns home to the Berkshires. In recent years, she and Bob moved to a home on the Colorado River where she enjoyed watching the water, birds, and sunsets.

Cris touched lives with her calm wisdom, ready ear, sharp wit, and beautiful smile. She was able to bring many different types of people together around one table to talk, listen, and laugh. Cris treated everyone with dignity, and she stood up for the rights of others and for equality. Her inner light and strength shown brightly, even through the tough times as she courageously battled cancer during the last five years.

Cristina is missed and loved by her husband and soulmate, Bob, sons Damon (Sara) and Jordan (Mimi), brothers Henry (Karen), Michael (Linda), and Marek (Uma), nieces and nephews McKenna, Aubrey, Jordyn, Matt, Whitney, Alex, Carena, Kian, and their families, stepmother Bogusia Sawicki, and beloved friends George and Sherri Amerman and their son, Thomas.

A celebration of life will be held at Zion Lutheran Church on June 26 at 5 p.m., with refreshments to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Cris to the Palo Verde District Library, Blythe Police Activities League, or the Nature Conservancy.