E. Christina (Chris) Dabis-Appleby, passed away peacefully on Saturday, October 24, 2026, in Grass Valley, California. She was born to Christy (Ray) and Cynthia (Bertie) Turnbough on February 22, 1947. She was 79 years old and spent the great majority of those 79 years in Nevada County, her adopted home. Chris was born in Missouri. The family moved to California when Chris was very young. She attended elementary school in Hayward, California. The family moved to North San Juan, and Chris attended Nevada Union High School, graduating in 1965. After graduation, she attended American River College in Sacramento.

She married Jacob Dabis in 1967 and began working for the County of Nevada for “Bub” Tobiassen in the Assessor’s office. In 1969, they moved to Hawaii, where they resided for four years. Daughter Cynthia (Cindy) was born in 1971 in Hawaii. When she returned to Nevada County in 1973, Chris began her long-term employment with the County, working with then-Treasurer/Tax Collector Marcela Carson. After Marcela Carson retired, Chris became the Treasurer/Tax Collector for Nevada County. She ran successfully for reelection eight times, holding the position for a total of thirty-one years before retiring with a total of thirty-nine years of service to the citizens of Nevada County. She loved serving and interacting with the citizens and viewed her elected position as both an honor and a grave responsibility. During her career, Chris was active in numerous State and local organizations and associations.

Four years after her first marriage ended, Chris met and married Paul Appleby and enjoyed 22 years with him before his death in March 2026. Chris had many talents and interests. She enjoyed music and was a talented fiddle, violin, and guitar player. For many years, she shared those talents with the Fruit Jar Pickers and several fiddling jam groups. She also enjoyed playing for Hospitality House guests during meals before they acquired a permanent location. She also enjoyed playing her fiddle and guitar for residents at local Assisted Living Centers. When not playing her fiddle or guitar, Chris enjoyed various crafts, especially crocheting. Her artistry was enjoyed by fairgoers, as witnessed by the numerous blue ribbons she won throughout the years. Friends (and strangers) were also lucky recipients of her beautiful hand-crocheted purses, Christmas decorations, pot holders, gloves, blankets, and wall hangings. Chris’ first passion was architecture, and that is what she pursued in college. However, even though life took her in a different direction, engineering aptitude showed in all her craftwork and organizational skills.

Chris was known for her laughter and good nature. She never met a stranger and cheerfully greeted everyone wherever she went, whether in a restaurant, at the grocery store, on the street, or in a store. That was the Chris that most people knew. But she also had a backbone of steel. Chris was feisty and adventurous. She rode her motorcycle thousands of miles on a road trip across the Southwest. She could hold her own in a debate or before the Grand Jury or the Board of Supervisors. She enjoyed adventures around Nevada County on the seldom-used back roads. Chris was generous to a fault and had a tendency to reach out to help – whether people or cats. If you were a cat adopted by her, you hit the jackpot. Many people and organizations can testify to her generosity, sometimes spontaneous, sometimes well thought out. She loved meeting people and helping people. That is the way her family and friends will always remember her.

She is survived by her daughter Cynthia (Cindy) Dabis, her siblings William (Bill) Turnbough and wife Eli, her sister Rita Behr and husband David, her grandson Daniel Milligan, and granddaughters Aaliyah and Raleigh Capon, two great-grandsons, her niece Jennifer Burgess, nephew William Turnbough, one great-nephew Cody Turnbough, and one stepson, Christopher Appleby. She was predeceased by her husband, Paul Appleby; father Christy Ray Turnbough and mother Bertie Brem, step father Steve Brem, brother, Dick Turnbough; and stepson, Thomas Appleby.

The family would like to thank the staff at Brunswick Village, Foothills Compassionate Care, and Hooper and Weaver. Donations can be made in her memory to Foothills Compassionate Care. Per her request, no service will be held.