Cristy Carroll Gookin

Cristy Carroll Gookin, born October 28, 1949 to the late Mary Carroll Gookin and R. Burt Gookin, in Pittsburgh, PA, passed peacefully, in Hospice care, on 11/29/2025.

Cristy is survived by her loving brother David B. (Marcy) Gookin and beloved nieces Ann (Dawn), Katherine (Bennett), and nephew David, Jr. (Grace) Gookin.

Cristy was a graduate of the Winchester Thurston School and Chatham University. She served as (past) President of The Junior League of Pittsburgh, owner of Necessities Ltd., co-Principal of Third Sector Partners with her dear friend, Elizabeth Greenough, and Executive Director of the Gookin Family Foundation. She was a graduate of Leadership Pittsburgh’s inaugural class and served on various local nonprofit Boards of Directors.

Cristy travelled widely throughout the United States (Alaska and Hawaii), Ireland, Great Britain, Russia, and Scandinavia making friends everywhere along the way.  She was an avid equestrian, attaining BE100 status in the British Eventing discipline, and lavished attention on her horses, Pegasus and Mister Ark, whom she stabled at the Rolling Rock Hunt Stables and the Eden Hall Farm.

A woman of many interests, Cristy was an accomplished needle pointer, a voracious reader,  an advocate and philanthropist on behalf of  women and children, and a dedicated animal lover.

Cristy both enriched and was enriched by enduring special friendships including her long-time international travel companion, Dr. Jonathan Draper, of the United Kingdom, and her caretaker and companion, Linda Stauffer.

There will be NO VISITATION. Family and friends will celebrate Cristy’s life in the Spring. In lieu of flowers, Cristy would be well remembered through contributions to Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh or the charity of your choice. Arrangements by John A. Freyvogel Sons, Inc. (freyvogelfuneralhome.com)

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