Christine “Chris” Malm Lapuc, a woman of fierce independence, boundless warmth, and sharp wit, passed away peacefully on June 20, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was 81 years old.
Born in Meriden, Connecticut, to Eunice Olson Malm and John Jernigan Malm. Her father died in the Battle of the Bulge when she was only a few months old and she lost her mother at age twelve to breast cancer. Taken in by her maternal relatives, she often described her upbringing as not a Cinderella story, but as life lived on the “second tier.” Those early hardships shaped her into a resilient, independent, and self-sufficient woman.
Chris earned her certification from the Hartford Hospital Radiologic Technology Program and began her career as an X-ray technician. While attending a fraternity party at Wesleyan University—admittedly as someone else’s date—she met Paul, the love of her life. In a twist of fate, the two had actually grown up just five houses apart on opposite sides of the same street. Chris loved to tease Paul that he never spoke to her back then because “he was a jock and I wasn’t a cheerleader,” and she frequently reminded him that she was “the best thing that ever happened to him”. She wasn't wrong; at the time of her passing, they were just six days shy of celebrating their 61st wedding anniversary.
Chris was deeply committed to cancer awareness and prevention. She organized free screening clinics, secured community donations, and recruited medical staff to volunteer. For thirty years, she worked in Health Services at UMass and Amherst College.
Chris retired in 2003, and she and Paul moved permanently to Chatham. She became active in numerous Chatham-Harwich Newcomers activities and volunteered at the Eldredge Library. A devoted reader to the end, she was equally devoted to ensuring their beagle, Murphy, got his daily walks. She often joked that “everyone knows Murphy’s name, but no one knows mine.” Her warmth and humor extended to her children and grandchildren, who knew her as Nana. She was supremely proud of their achievements, championed their efforts, celebrated their successes, and wanted to know everything about their lives. Summers on the Cape were filled with long visits from the grandchildren throughout their teen and early college years.
Chris and Paul loved to travel and over the years they traveled throughout Europe, Asia, the Caribbean, and North America. Disney World remained a family favorite.
For many years, Chris seemed unstoppable. She survived multiple cancer diagnoses as well as the side effects of cancer treatment. When discussing her medical history, she would shrug and say, “The fun never stops.”
The fun finally ended on June 20, 2026, when complications from a fall led to her passing. She died surrounded by her loving family.
Chris leaves her husband, Paul; her daughter, Sarah Mullins, and Sarah’s fiancé, Charles “Chuck” Ramsay, along with Sarah’s children, James Patrick “JP” and Peyton; and her son, Douglas, his wife, Patacharapa “Tsai,” and their son, Felix.
Chris often used “Cheers” as both a greeting and a farewell. Cheers to Chris and to her well lived life.
A celebration of life will be held on the Cape this fall. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Chris to the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Institute. Donations may be made online at giving.massgeneral.org, or checks can be mailed to:
Massachusetts General Brigham
Development Office
399 Revolution Dr. Ste. 1330
Somerville, MA 02145