Christy Cressey studied French and Editorial Journalism at the University of Washington, earning her a Bachelor of Arts in 1977.
While at the UW she belonged to the Alpha Delta Pi sorority and also lived in “French House,” a section of McMahon Hall dormitory devoted to speaking the language with other Francophiles. She was chairman of sports activities at her sorority while swimming on the UW’s synchronised swimming team and helping with choreography. She completed her B.S.B.A. in Communications in 1978.
Christy’s journalistic career involved weekly newspapers, aside from short stints in advertising and public relations. Her work involved reporting, photojournalism and proofreading for The Winchester Star in Winchester, Massachusetts. In Illinois she wrote as a staff writer for the Pioneer Press newspapers. Her responsibilities were primarily with the Elm Leaves, the Forest Leaves and the Oak Leaves, serving the communities of Elmwood Park, River Forest and Oak Park respectively. She also worked as a stringer for the Lerner Newspapers in Chicago.
In addition to spending two and a half years renovating a Chicago 1894 Victorian single family cottage, located 525 feet from Wrigley Field’s home plate; Christy chaired the No Lights in Wrigley Field Campaign, euphemistically named C.U.B.S. (Citizens United for Baseball in the Sunshine). As part of that civic effort, she was also actively involved in East Lake View Neighbors and Lake View Citizens Council.
After moving to the Barrington Hills countryside to raise their three daughters, Monique, Charlotte, Alicia, and assorted critters, Christy took up land conservation. She currently resides at Cresswood Farm and manage two ranches. Wolf Run Ranch in Steamboat Springs, Colorado not only provides the family a place for a winter holiday, but is equally beautiful during the summer when the Indian Paint Brush is in bloom. The other escape, Camp Creek Ranch, located near the Illinois Mississippi Palisades western most border is primarily set up for seventy-five miles of horseback riding trails affording the opportunity to enjoy nature chasing coyotes. Christy is a joint master of foxhounds for Massbach Hounds, the hunt providing such sport.
Through the Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, Christy has served as a trustee for Episcopal Charities and has played an active role with Cathedral Shelter, an agency on Chicago’s near west side providing housing and other support to those wishing help with addictions.
Christy has been a member of the Woman’s Board of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago since 2001. In 2012, Christy was the co-chair of the Evergreen Invitational Equestrian event which raises funds for grants through the Woman’s Board of Nothwestern Memorial Hopsital.
In 2001, she served as Co-chair of the Parents Council at Reed College in Portland, Oregon, where Christy’s daughter, Monique, graduated with an Economics Degree.
In January 2008, Christy accompanied Care International on a trip to Mali.
In June of 2008, Christy joined the Barrington Choir on a trip to China to sing during the Beijing Olympics.
March 2014, Christy traveled with the Barrington Choir to sing at several locations in Prague, Czech Republic, Budapest, Hungary and Munich, Germany including participation in an International Competition.
In 2015, Above and Beyond Family Recovery Center Christy was an integral part of development. Above and Beyond provides free addiction recovery and counseling on Chicago’s west side. Christy serves as treasurer and is currently developing a work out room for participants.
Christy also quenches her thespian inklings with a group of friends that periodically act and produce plays. With the play reading group Second Set, some of Christy’s past roles have included such leads as Dorothy, in The Wizard of Oz; Sylvia, a golden retriever, in the play of the same name; and the female deaf mute in Children of a Lesser God. Christy also had an extra part in Anchorman 2 and the television show, Empire, Season 1 Episode 3 was filmed at Cresswood Farm. Recently has been part of a pilot shoot for “The Genius”.
Some of her other interests include antiquing, decorating, landscaping, tennis, boating and scuba diving.