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Writer's pictureD E Foster
Mar 14

Tribute to Dr. Christy Huff

Updated: Mar 21

 

Christy Huff passed away

on March 5, 2024.

This page is dedicated to her memory.


Donations may be made to the Christy Huff Memorial Fund

for the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition (BIC)


BIC also welcomes your memories of Christy at bic@benzoinfo.com




 

Memories of Christy, from D


Today, March 14th, is Christy's funeral — and I still have no idea what to say.


Christy was a dear friend, and my closest ally in the benzo community. I wanted to do something today in remembrance of her, so I chose to set up this tribute page. It will remain as a permanent part of our website, and is only the second tribute page we have ever set up — the other was for Professor Ashton. That might give you some idea as to Christy's importance.


I am not going to review Christy's accomplishments here. There are resource links at the bottom of this page if you'd like to learn more about Christy, make a donation in her memory, or just share your thoughts with others. Instead, I just want to say a few personal words here about the Christy I knew.


For almost five years, a week rarely went by when I wasn't in a meeting with Christy preparing a presentation, creating training or a research paper, or doing something related to benzo awareness. She was a valued colleague and a good friend. She has been a big part of my life in recent years and her absence leaves a hole. A big hole.


The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Christy is kindness. Yes, she was very intelligent. And yes, her dedication to those who have been affected by benzodiazepines was unwavering. But for me personally, I'll remember her most as a kind and humble human being. And since those are traits that I value the most, that made her pretty amazing.


The second thing that comes to mind was her love for her family. A year or two ago, I remember a series of Zoom calls where Christy would appear on screen with what some might call "unusual" makeup — and each time, we would laugh about it. It turns out that her daughter would use her computer when she was not on it and change the makeup filters for her camera. It was all just part of being a mom, and it was clear that Christy loved it.


The last time I saw Christy in person was last year. She was invited to speak at a conference in Boulder, Colorado, and my wife and I met her for dinner. We had good Italian food, wandered around the Pearl Street Arts Festival, and wound up the evening eating ice cream outdoors as the sun set behind the mountains. It was perfect. Good friends enjoying each other's company — and that's how I want to remember her.


I am proud to say that Christy was my friend. I will miss her dearly.


With a sad heart,

D


 


Obituary for Christy Huff


from Greenwood Funeral Home and Memorial Park Read the original notice here: https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/dfw/name/laura-huff-obituary?id=54587491


On Tuesday, March 5, Laura Christine (Christy) Huff, MD, a beloved wife, mother, daughter, and sister, went to be with the Lord in Heaven at the age of 47.


Christy was born to Lawrence and Kerry Mitchell in Wichita Falls, Texas. As a child, Christy excelled in academics and music. She placed 7th in the 1987 Scripps National Spelling Bee, played viola in the TMEA All-State orchestra, graduated with honors from Wichita Falls High School, and was an accomplished pianist. She graduated summa cum laude from Hardin Simmons University in Abilene, Texas. During that time, she continued playing viola in the university orchestra as well as the Abilene Philharmonic. She subsequently attended medical school at the University of Texas Southwestern at Dallas, graduating with Alpha Omega Alpha honors, playing in the Irving Symphony, and meeting her future husband. She completed an internal medicine residency at Washington University in St. Louis, followed by a cardiology fellowship and a cardiac imaging advanced fellowship at the University of Texas Southwestern.


Christy was married in 2007 to Joshua Huff, MD, in Dallas. She worked as a cardiologist at Fort Worth Heart until shortly after the birth of her daughter, Kathryn, in 2011, who was the light of her life. Christy enjoyed caring for and being with her family, traveling, cooking, sewing, playing in the church orchestra and praise band, and being a dog owner.


Unfortunately, Christy was subsequently confronted with several medical challenges, including becoming a breast cancer survivor. The most significant of these was illness caused by the prescription benzodiazepine, Xanax, which caused her incredible harm in a short time despite being taken as prescribed. She endured three long years of debilitating sickness while slowly tapering off the medications. Her experience inspired her to become a leader in the field of advocating for patients injured by these medications and educating physicians about the potential long-term harm of these drugs. She became the medical director at Benzodiazepine Information Coalition and gave many interviews and presentations at medical conferences.


As a result of her personal experiences and advocacy for others going through the same, hundreds have testified of their appreciation and gratitude for the help they received from her. She overcame so much, but the damage caused by these medications was deep and ultimately cost her, her life. She was immensely loved by her family and was a respected colleague. She will be remembered for her dedication to her cause and her family, as well as her determination and intelligence.


Christy is preceded in death by her father.


She is survived by her husband; daughter; mother; and sister, Missy Mitchell-McBeth.


In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Christy Huff Memorial Fund for the Benzodiazepine Information Coalition at benzoinfo.com.



 

More Info on Christy



 

Tributes for Christy

BIC welcomes your memories of Christy at bic@benzoinfo.com



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