Christine Nora (Sherman) Resteghini, 73, of Billerica, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 29th at Massachusetts General Hospital following a brief period of declining health, surrounded by the love of her family.

Born in Brighton, Christine was the beloved eldest of ten children of the late Richard and Mary (Brady) Sherman. She was raised in Burlington and was a proud graduate of Burlington High School. In her later high school years, she worked in the Maternity Ward at Choate Hospital in Woburn where she touched the lives of many, including saving the life of a newborn.  After raising her own children, Christine returned to school and earned her LPN from the Tewksbury Hospital School of Nursing, a testament to her determination and lifelong commitment to caring for others. Her husband John remembers an accolade from one of her nursing instructors who said, “Christine is as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.”

As the oldest sibling, Christine naturally took on a nurturing role from a young age, helping to raise her brothers and sisters with love and devotion. That same spirit carried throughout her life, especially within her own family.

At the age of 18, during a night out with friends at Nantasket Beach, fate intervened in the most beautiful way. Christine walked into the Nantasket Beach Surf Club with her girlfriends, where a young man named John, out with his own friends, caught sight of her and was starstruck. After a few dances, Christine gave John her phone number on a simple gum wrapper, which led to a five-year courtship, blossoming into a loving marriage that would span 50 years. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, four children, and four cherished grandchildren.

Christine and John were truly inseparable. They shared a love of travel that brought them to Ireland, France, Germany, Alaska on a memorable cruise, and Italy on a special church trip. Closer to home, they found joy in simple pleasures, trips to Mohegan Sun for concerts and shows and a bit of excitement, annual autumn journeys to the White Mountains to celebrate their anniversary among the fall foliage, peaceful walks around Horn Pond where Christine delighted in birdwatching, especially hoping to catch a glimpse of her favorite, the cardinal, and spontaneous drives wherever the road might lead, with Christine always happily behind the wheel.

Her children and grandchildren were the center of her world. Christine was a constant and enthusiastic presence at every sporting event, recital, and activity, cheering the loudest at hockey games, applauding proudly at gymnastics and Irish step dancing performances, piano concerts, soccer and rugby games. You name it, she was there. Her unwavering support and boundless love were the foundation upon which her family thrived. She valued education, and enrolled her children in Montessori school, St. Charles Elementary and then Arlington Catholic High School. She pushed and encouraged each of her children to pursue graduate degrees, and she was so proud of their accomplishments.  She and John were the wind beneath their wings.

After her children grew older, Christine pursued her passion for helping others through nursing. She worked for many years at Bedford Lexington Internal Medicine, where her compassion and kindness touched the lives of countless patients.

In retirement, Christine embraced her role as “Grandma” with immense joy and devotion. Her grandchildren were her greatest pride, and she gave them her whole heart, always present with encouragement, guidance, and unconditional love. Whether attending a dance recital, celebrating their achievements, or simply pulling them in a wagon around the block, Christine made each grandchild feel deeply cherished.

Her home was the heart of family gatherings, especially her beloved Sunday night dinners, where her cooking brought everyone together. Her corned beef dinners became legendary, leaving both stomachs and hearts full.

Christine treasured time with her siblings, particularly her sisters, enjoying days filled with nail and hair appointments, laughter, and shopping. She held dear the memories made with extended family on Cape Cod, trips to the cabins in Voluntown, Connecticut, and spirited late-night Scrabble games with friends and loved ones. She was known for her joyful spirit and was often the first to the dance floor at weddings or any celebration, lighting up the room with her energy and warmth.

She is survived by her loving husband John Resteghini of Billerica, their children, Laura Resteghini and her husband, Gilbert Pili of Cambridge,  Nancy Resteghini and her husband, Eugene Tikh of Newton, John M. Resteghini of Billerica and Christopher Resteghini and his wife, Elizabeth of Stow, MA., her beloved grandchildren, Olivia Resteghini, Aidan Tikh, Oliver Tikh and Juliana Resteghini, her siblings, Richard Sherman and his wife, Helen, of Burlington, Michael Sherman and his significant other, Debbie, of Bristol, NH, Nancy Sawyer and her husband, Jack, of Billerica, James Sherman and his late wife, Ani, of Billerica, Cathy Roark and her husband, Wayne, of Sanbornton, NH, Daniel Sherman and his significant other, Christina, of Cornish, ME, Nora Linskey and her husband, Charlie, of Chelmsford, Marianne Cortes and her husband, Luis, of Tewksbury and the late Robert Sherman, as well as many nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend her visiting hours on Wednesday April 15th from 4pm to 7pm at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St. Burlington. Her funeral will begin at the funeral home at 9am on Thursday, April 16th with a Funeral Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish at St. Theresa of Lisieux Church, 466 Boston Rd., Billerica at 10am. Burial will follow in Fox Hill Cemetery in Billerica.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Saint Matthew the Evangelist Parish at billericacatholic.org.

For online condolences and video slide show please visit www.sullivanfuneralhome.net