Christina Johanna Neumann

is honored with a Brick from Integrated Supply Chain Leadership Group, Cessna Aircraft Co. for Eric Cardinali in memory of Christina Johanna Neumann

A beloved family matriarch, an endearing and loyal friend, an educator and tireless champion of academia, Christina Johanna Neumann, a fearless and beautiful heroine.

Born in Toledo, Ohio, on July 23, 1946, Christina was the daughter of Karl and Mary Neumann with siblings, William, Roderick and Victoria. At a young age it was obvious that Christina was academically brilliant, graduating from Temperance High School at the age of 16. She received scholarships to Western Michigan University and Wayne State University in Detroit, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in biology and master's degree in education.

Young, eager and admittedly green, she began her career teaching biology in the Warren Consolidated school system in Warren, Michigan. Christina was driven and focused on success, not only her own but more importantly, that of her students. She remained ever vigilant and committed to mentoring and motivating each child to reach their individual potential. She championed the underdog and openly shared her compassion for others. She welcomed everyone into her life and, unconditionally, into her heart. It was the combination of poise, kindness and intelligence that made friends and colleagues alike love and respect her deeply.

In 1965, Christina married Fred Cardinali in Temperence, Michigan where they raised two sons, Eric and Andrew. Christina was the light in her sons' eyes. As a mother she was loving, insightful, empathetic, encouraging and, when necessary, firm. She raised her sons to be strong, smart and empowered with a voracious appetite for learning. The boys grew up seeing that their mother was grounded, often laughing at herself and letting others laugh with her. For Christina, raising her children was her passion. She was honest and real and always giving of herself. Today, her grown sons Andrew and Eric are the men that she would have wanted them to become. Andrew and his wife, Asa, have a daughter, Lillian; Eric and his wife, Debora, have two sons, Dante and Dario. Far too early, Christina was stricken with cancer. It was with her ever present faith, the love and support of her family, and her limitless personal determination and resolve that she turned fear into focus by establishing the Christina J. Neumann Scholarship for Women Studying Science at Wayne State University in Detroit. This scholarship provides awards for female undergraduate or graduate students attending Wayne State University who are majoring in Science.

Christina's life and legacy will forever live in her children and grandchildren and in the future of young women who follow in her footsteps. Christina exemplifies the qualities of a true and very real heroine.

We honor Christina Johanna Neumann today and every day here in the Plaza of Heroines.