Christopher Marshall Park Weston

OBITUARY

With hearts full of love and gratitude, we announce the passing of our beloved son, Christopher Marshall Park Weston, on October 12, 2026, at Scripps Memorial Hospital in Encinitas, California. He was 36. Chris was a light in our lives, and his laughter, curiosity, and unconditional love touched everyone who knew him.

Chris was born on May 9, 1990, in Park Ridge, Illinois, to Jenina and Richard Weston. Born prematurely, he spent his first 86 days in the NICU. At age 7 he was diagnosed with Congenital Myotonic Dystrophy, a condition he shared with his mother and grandmother. Although he reached milestones more slowly and lost most of his speech at age 6, he always found a way to make his needs known.

Chris was a happy, contented child, and his joy was never brighter than the first time he visited Disney. He lit up at the sight of Mickey, Minnie, and all the characters, and it was love at first sight. That love led the family to move to San Diego in 2002. The weather was better, and California offered far more support services, including the Regional Center system and IHSS. Disneyland, Legoland, the San Diego Zoo, Knott’s Berry Farm, Universal Studios, and Six Flags were all within driving distance, and Chris loved these outings. He also loved Boomers and Chuck E. Cheese’s, with all their games and rides, and he traveled to Wisconsin, Hawaii, Florida, and Canada.

He was a joy to be with: easygoing, gentle, innocent, and rarely one to complain. He patiently endured a great many medical appointments, always comforted by his portable DVD and cassette players. In his own world, he delighted in computer games, DVD movies, kids’ songs, Disney, Sonic the Hedgehog, and above all his favorite, Bopping with the Biggies. He loved anything that moved, especially trains, bus rides, and the rides at amusement parks. He would reach out his hand to guide yours to the parts of his face (eyes, mouth, nose) and ask you to name them, or point to something on his DVD and wait for you to name that too.

Chris graduated from Mission Hills High School in 2008. When he turned 18, he moved into his own ADU, where he was cared for by his family, a devoted team of caregivers, and the many nurses who looked after him. Many people made this possible, giving their time and love so that Chris could have the best life possible. Some saw only what Chris could not do, but his caregivers, nurses, and family saw what he could do. He navigated children’s computer programs and puzzles with skill.

As Chris grew older, his symptoms increased. At 19 he had the first of several respiratory failures, each requiring long hospital and rehabilitation stays, and each time he fought his way back. He also survived two cardiac arrests and was placed on hospice, yet he recovered again. Chris was a fighter. Through an FDA compassionate use application, he was able to take the drug Tideglusib from AMO Pharma, which helped improve his cognitive skills and stabilize his condition.

Chris was preceded in death by his mother, Jenina Heeyoung Park Weston, in 2018, and by his grandmother, Mary-Jo Guy, in 2024.

He is survived by his father, Richard Scott Weston; his stepmother, Maria Figueroa Weston, who cared for Chris from the age of 12 and loved him; his siblings, Scott Ricardo Figueroa Weston, Vanessa Isabelle Figueroa Weston, and Jamie Jane Figueroa Weston; and many cousins and relatives in Korea.

The family offers heartfelt thanks to his devoted caregivers, Roberto, Georgina, Jonathan, and Ana, and to the many other caregivers and nurses whose care and kindness made Chris’s life a joy. They also remember with love his late grandmother, Mary-Jo Guy, a Montessori teacher whose guidance and help meant so much to him.

Viewing will be at Allen Brothers Mortuary in Vista CA from 4-8 on Wednesday October 21st. A funeral Mass will be held at the Historic Mission San Luis Rey Church on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 1:00 PM, with burial to follow at the Mission cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Myotonic Dystrophy Foundation at www.myotonic.org.