Christine Durbin Biography
Christine Durbin is the esteemed daughter of Illinois Senator Dick Durbin and his wife, Loretta Schaefer Durbin, was a well-known figure in American society. Sadly, Christine passed away at the age of 40 on Saturday, succumbing to complications related to a congenital heart condition.
According to Joe Shoemaker, a spokesman for the Democratic senator, Christine had been undergoing treatment in a hospital in the Washington, D.C., area for several weeks before her passing.
At the time of her death, Sen. Durbin was present with his wife, Loretta Durbin, and the rest of the family in the Washington, D.C., region. Shoemaker confirmed that Christine was surrounded by most of her family members at her bedside during her final moments.
Christine Durbin had a notable professional career, having dedicated 16 years of service to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, specifically in the emerging markets division. She resided with her husband, Marty Johnson, and their son in a suburb of Washington, D.C. Throughout her life, Christine valiantly battled with heart disease, demonstrating extraordinary strength and resilience in the face of adversity.
Shoemaker extended the Durbin family’s gratitude for the thoughts and prayers received during this difficult time, emphasizing that Sen. Durbin would not be providing any further public statements. Christine is survived by her grieving parents, her husband Marty Johnson, her son Alex, her brother Paul, and her sister Jennifer.
What happened to Christine Durbin/ Christine Durbin Obituary
Christine Durbin tragically passed away on November 1, 2008, at the age of 40. She breathed her last in a hospital in the Washington, D.C., area. Christine, the beloved eldest daughter of Dick Durbin and Loretta Schaefer Durbin, had dedicated 16 years of her professional life to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, serving within the Emerging Markets division.
Her commitment and contributions during her tenure exemplified her dedication to public service and professional excellence. We remember her for her significant contributions and her unwavering dedication to her work.
Christine Durbin Father Dick Durbin
Dick Durbin, an accomplished American lawyer and seasoned politician, has been diligently serving as the senior United States senator from Illinois since 1997, representing the Democratic Party.
Currently, in his fifth Senate term, he has made significant contributions to the political landscape, serving as the Senate Democratic whip since 2005, and assuming the role of Senate majority whip in 2021, solidifying his prominent position within the Democratic leadership in the Senate.
Durbin’s extensive experience and expertise have led him to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee, a vital role that underscores his proficiency in handling critical legal and constitutional matters. Notably, he garnered attention for his leadership during the Ketanji Brown Jackson Supreme Court nomination hearings, highlighting his adeptness in managing complex and high-stakes judicial proceedings.
Born in East St. Louis, Illinois, to an Irish-American father, William Durbin, and a Lithuanian-born mother, Anna (née Kutkin; Lithuanian: Ona Kutkaitė), Durbin’s early years included employment at a meatpacking plant during his high school years at Assumption High School in East St. Louis, from which he graduated in 1962. He went on to obtain a B.S. from the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University in 1966.
His journey into politics began with an internship in Senator Paul Douglas’s office during his senior year in college, followed by his involvement in Douglas’s unsuccessful 1966 reelection campaign, a time when the nickname “Dick” became his preferred appellation following a case of mistaken identity by Senator Douglas.
Durbin furthered his education, earning his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 1969 and subsequently being admitted to the Illinois Bar later that year. Commencing his legal career in Springfield, he served as legal counsel to Lieutenant Governor Paul Simon from 1969 to 1972 and subsequently as legal counsel to the Illinois State Senate Judiciary Committee from 1972 to 1982.
His early political endeavors included an unsuccessful campaign for the Illinois State Senate in 1976 and a run for lieutenant governor in 1978.
Durbin’s diverse experiences extended to his co-ownership of the Crow’s Mill Pub in Springfield’s Toronto neighborhood from 1976 to 1981, which he later described as a valuable “crash course” in the intricacies of running a business.
Additionally, he contributed to the academic sphere as an adjunct professor of medical law at the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine for five years, alongside his legal practice.