Lebanon HS graduate remembered as popular singer in the 1950s and ’60s

Despite humble beginnings performing at the Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, Jackie Christoff Jankowski — stage name Lynn Christie — found success as a singer, performing in Japan, Buenos Aires, Canada, and throughout the United States during the 1950s and ’60s.

A 1952 Lebanon High School graduate, Christie found an interest in the performing arts at a young age. Voted “Most Promising” in her class, Christie was a part of the A Capella Choir and Dramatic Club in addition to other extracurricular activities.

After her graduation, Christie became known as the “Sweetheart of the Fifth Infantry Division” at Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation, performing there and at other local venues regularly. In 1954, Christie traveled to New York City to attend a dramatics school.

By 1955, Christie was performing in Philadelphia night clubs and making industry connections.

Christie released various songs with Philadelphia records, one released alongside doo wop group the Deckers.

In 1955, Christie performed with an orchestra in Washington, D.C., where she was courted by prospective employers. Future husband Kenneth Friedlander, a stockbroker, recounted in an April 1957 LDN article that he hoped Christie would sign with the Music Corporation of America. Instead, she signed up to be a professional singer in New York’s Latin Quarter, where she eventually starred in a show.

In 1956, Christie was proclaimed New York’s Tourist Queen of the year, demonstrating that she had become well-liked in the Big Apple.

A year later, Christie met Friedlander once again and they soon became engaged. The pair would go on to marry and have a daughter together, though in 1960 they divorced and Christie was granted child support.

A frequent traveler, with nightclub gigs in Miami, Atlantic City, Pittsburgh, and more, Christie still found the time to visit Lebanon regularly. In addition to appearances at local dances and other events, Christie also performed at the Ephrata Legion, Pushnik’s, and more.

In 1961, Christie performed for six weeks at a night club in Buenos Aires.

The next year, she traveled to Tokyo, Japan to sing in a night club, where she also acted in a film and recorded, according to a July, 1962 LDN piece.

Christie continued to perform throughout the ’60s, eventually meeting her future husband, New York City Judge August Jankowski, after a performance in Freedonia, New York.

Jankowski, who lost his sight at age 17 while a star high school football quarterback, recounted in the Patriot News being transfixed by the sound of her voice.

“I liked the sincerity and warmth of her voice so much I commented that I would like to meet her,” said Jankowski. “She sounded like such a good person. The manager asked her to join us and next day we had lunch and that was it for me, even if it did take us just over a year to get married.”

While Christie continued to perform after her marriage, she reduced her amount of performances, regularly performing in Canada but not traveling as widely as she previously had.

The Windsor Star described her in 1969 as an “audience warmer-upper,” with a strong belting voice and enchanting figure and wardrobe.

Over the years, Christie continued to occasionally visit Lebanon to perform. However, in her personal life, she was Jackie Christoff Jankowski, manager of a real estate firm and enjoyer of skiing, golfing, and volunteer work.

She died on Feb. 9, 2016, at the age of 81, having spent her twilight years living in Arizona.

Embedded in this article were Lynn Christie songs “Moon Madness” (1957), “What Did I Do” (featuring the Deckers, 1957), and “Why Am I Afraid And Blue” (1957). These songs are available on YouTube through the links on song titles.