In Memory of Christy Dale Foreman

Christy Dale Foreman died at 11:30 pm on November 19, 2023, due to complications from pancreatic cancer at Fiesta Park Wellness and Rehabilitation in Albuquerque, NM. She was 60 years old. 

Christy was born in Mesa, AZ on November 23, 1962, to Dale Francis and Russell Avery. The family later moved to San Diego, CA, where Christy grew up. Some of her most cherished childhood memories are of companioning her grandfather as he worked his cucumber and tomato fields. Competitive and naturally athletic, she was adept at many sports at a young age and the swim team she was a part of at nine years old was one of the best in the country. One of her close friends, Tracy Glover, said about her, “She always wanted to beat the boys…and she did!” She met Tracy and her other close friend, Hilary Compton, in high school, which was also when she discovered her lifelong love of tennis. 

As many who cared for Christy know, she was an avid tennis player who competed at national-level tournaments. She won two silver balls in doubles: one with her mother, Dale, at a mother/daughter tournament and another with one of her doubles partners, Maria Nunez. Nicknamed “the Bobcat,” Christy is known for her rocket-like serves, her intelligent and skillful approach to the game, and always giving 110%. She also treasured the many supportive friendships she made in the tennis community. At tournaments, when she was not competing or practicing, she could often be found cheering her friends on.

Christy graduated from the University of Arizona with a degree in architecture. As a registered architect, she had a tremendous work ethic and lived out her values of integrity, justice, and excellence through her work. She co-founded a business, MC Cabinetry, with her then-husband Mark Foreman, and also did work in plans examining for city governments and consulting. Uncompromising in matters of human rights, she was a fierce advocate for Americans with Disabilities Act compliance in architecture and gender equality in the workplace. When not playing tennis or working, she enjoyed sewing, yoga, watching TV shows and movies, petting cats curled up in her lap, reading, and spending time with loved ones. 

A caring mother, wife, daughter, and sister, Christy is survived by her children, Paige Foreman-Smith and Garret Foreman, two stepchildren, Sean Smith (Samantha), Kristen Fullerton (Grant), her husband Pancho Smith, her mother Dale, her stepmother Patty Avery, and her four siblings: Dean Avery, Brent Avery, Wade Avery, and Jennifer Elliott. Anyone who was loved by Christy knows how powerful her love is. Strong, deep, and constant, it is a felt force that perseveres beyond her bodily death—you know she is always there for you. She expressed this love through genuine concern for and commitment to your flourishing, a generosity of spirit, and compassionate honesty. Sometimes her love was expressed through incessant worrying. She was such a worrywart that Paige even remembers her saying once, “I am worried that Garret will worry.”

Christy always strove to be the best that she could be in all aspects of her life. She loved hard, worked hard, and played tennis hard. Some ideas for honoring her memory could be: playing a match of your best tennis, sharing stories and memories about her over good margaritas, or enjoying the splendor of a national park. Christy would most likely want you to use your money to invest in your own well-being, but if you would like to donate in lieu of flowers, you can consider donating to the USTA Foundation.