Christiane Marie Desbois

Christiane Marie (Roffat) Desbois, 87, formerly of Alexandria, Virginia, passed away peacefully in Overland Park, Kansas on Monday September 30th, 2024.

Christiane was born on March 8, 1937, in Vendenesse-les-Charolles, France to Pierre and Francine (Berland) Roffat. In early childhood, she grew up in occupied France during World War II living with her aunts and cousins at their family farm. During that time, her father was a prisoner of war for five and a half years in a German POW camp while her mother ran an épicerie (grocery store) in the small town of Charolles, France. Christiane spent her teenage years and early twenties in Charolles where she found her love of music and dancing and met her husband of 27 years, Jean Yves Desbois. She sought a better life for her family by immigrating with her husband and children in 1965 to Montreal, Canada and, then when their green card was granted, in 1973 to the United States. Christiane endured many difficulties in her life including the loss of her first born, early loss of her only brother when he was 25, and the tragic loss of her husband when he was 51 (in 1983). Christiane prided herself on being self-sufficient and loved working with numbers. She worked as a bookkeeper until she retired at the age of 78. Despite the many challenges in her life, Christiane was well-known as a remarkably kind, positive, generous, and hospitable person by all. She loved to cook and prepare delicious meals for her family and friends. She spent much time travelling across Europe visiting her parents and many cousins while vacationing annually in Charolles. She especially enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. One of her favorite pastimes was playing the French card game Tarot with her family, just like her father did for many years. 

Christiane is survived by her three children, eight grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren: daughter, Jacqueline Desbois Ryan and husband John Ryan (grandchildren Dr. Michael Buchko and his wife, Dr. Heather Burke, Patrick Ryan and his wife, Cristina Ryan, and Natalie Ryan); son, Michel Desbois and wife Shelly Desbois (grandchildren Bridget Desbois and Nicole Desbois Teel and her husband Bryce Teel); and son Patrick Desbois and wife Cori Casey Desbois (grandchildren Olivier Desbois, Lucas Desbois and Kendall Turner). 

A celebration of Christiane’s life will be held at a later date.

The family requests that contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association. https://act.alz.org/site/Donation2?df_id=51079&51079.donation=form1&mfc_pref=T&utm_source=google&utm_medium=paidsearch&utm_campaign=giving_google_SL&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu-63BhC9ARIsAMMTLXQ7LjY7MMwYiFaB9Ytldwf3AzPT0BJn7hvz5Gq_J27NUhlKFnW3C-AaAp25EALw_wcB

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