Christina (Kutulas) Parkin

Our dear mother and sister, Christina Kutulas Parkin, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 10, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

Christina was born on May 12, 1928 to Angeliki Gianakopoulos Kutulas and Ernest Kutulas in Maryville, Missouri, the first of five children. Christina was blessed with three sisters (Helen, Dena, and Barbara) and one brother (John). There are no better siblings than Christina's. The family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where she attended South High School.

While attending South High School, Christina worked at a carpet store. If customers were not there, she would sit on the rolls of carpet and read books. She developed a love for literature and reading, a love that carried throughout her life.  She attended the University of Utah, earning a degree in Elementary Education. While there, she met her future husband, Charles E. Parkin.

Christina and Charles married on August 22, 1950 and later sealed in the Salt Lake Temple. They moved to St. Louis, Missouri so that Charles could attend dental school. Christina worked full-time to support the family until she gave birth to her first child, Charles Gary Parkin. Sadly, Gary died two weeks later. Three years later, she was overjoyed to give birth to Susan. After dental school, Christina and Charles moved back to Salt Lake City where three more children were born:  Richard, Marianne, and Gregory.

Christina loved to cook and constantly fed family and friends. The first thing she would ask when walking through her door was, "Have you eaten?" It was wonderful to smell the aromas that permeated the house while she cooked. Some of her favorite meals were lamb and potatoes, dolmathes, and round steak roll-ups. She was a devoted grandmother. She was blessed with eighteen grandchildren and thirty-four great grandchildren. She loved to spend time with her grandchildren and took great pride in their accomplishments.

Christina was gregarious, making friends with everyone and anyone. She had an engaging personality with a droll sense of humor. Her laugh was contagious, causing everyone else to laugh with her. Christina spent hours on the phone talking with her sisters and friends.

Through the example of her parents, Christina found faith and comfort in her Savior, Jesus Christ. This relationship continued throughout her life as she freely served others as a friend, neighbor, and in many church responsibilities. Her generosity was an example to us all.

Christina was preceded in death by her husband, Charles, her son, Gary, her sister, Helen, and her parents. She is survived by her children:  Susan LeBaron (Ray), Richard Parkin (Lynette), Marianne Card (Lane), and Greg Parkin (Susan).

Funeral services will be Saturday, December 18, 2021 at 1:00 p.m., at the Valley View 10th Ward, 2000 East 3900 South, where family and friends can visit Friday evening from 6;00 to 8;00 p.m. and Saturday morning from 11:30 to 12:30 prior to the services. Interment:  Salt Lake City Cemetery.   If you would like to vie  w the service by live stream, please click on  the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/c/SaltLakeValleyViewStakeBroadcasts