Community Comes Together to Celebrate Life of Arnold Councilwoman

Family, friends and community members came together Thursday to celebrate the life of an Arnold city councilwoman who touched the lives of so many in her community.

Christine "Cricky" Lang died Monday morning in her home after complications from diabetes. The 44-year-old wife, mother and volunteer had undergone dialysis for the last year and had just been moved to the top of the waiting list for a kidney and a pancreas transplant.

"The last couple of years have been tough for Cricky and her family, but she never stopped living," People's Church Pastor Boyd Brooks said at her service on Thursday. "Her enthusiasm for life caused her to reach out to others."

Ms. Lang had served on the council since 2010. Family members say her biggest accomplishment on the council was working to bring to Arnold a steel beam that was part of the World Trade Center Towers before they came down on Sept. 11, 2001.

Ms. Lang was a 1987 graduate of Fox High School, an active member and past Honored Queen of Bethels #47 and #1 and past president and member of the Fox Elementary Parents Club.

Thursday's service was marked with tears and strength as Ms. Lang's teen daughter, Katlyn, and her sister, Diane Harris, recalled memories of their best friend.

Harris said her sister was diagnosed with juvenile diabetes when she was 10 or 11. "We all learned what we had to do to take care of her, but the cloud of diabetes was always hanging in the air," she said.

Harris said that she donated one of her kidneys to her sister in 2001. Doctors said the transplant would last about 10 years. Harris said when Ms. Lang recently learned that the kidney was failing, "she took it with strength, faith and 'that smile'."

"Two weeks ago, I talked to my sister who told me she was at the top of the transplant list," Harris said. "Monday, I got a call from Shawn on my cell phone, expecting to hear that she was in the hospital waiting for the transplant. It wasn't the news I expected." 

Katlyn, Ms. Lang's daughter, told mourners that someone had referred to her mom as being deceased. She said, "She's not deceased, she's just gone for a little while, and someday we will be together again. It will be OK. It takes time, and we all grieve differently."

Katlyn added that she had a "meltdown" at her mom's wake and said her dad Shawn explained that her mom would always be with her.

"I told my dad I knew, and that I can't do anything bad because she's watching me," Katlyn said. Guests at the service shared a laugh.

Katlyn also said she was proud to be wearing a bracelet her aunt had made for her and her friends that said "RIP Cricky, Fly High."

A fund is being set up in Ms. Lang's childrens' names. Patch will provide more information as it becomes available.

Do you have memories of how Cricky Lang touched your life? Share them in our comments section.