Christena Esther Stevens

Christena had a good run, barely short of 90 years when she passed on March 18, 2024. Born in Boisdale, Cape Breton, to Lawson and Lillian (Weil) Stevens, the youngest of nine until they adopted Teddy when she was little, much to her displeasure. She was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings. The last of a long line of tough, independent, strong-willed Irish/German people with a penchant for business and independent thinking and a wonderful sense of humor. She was raised understanding hard work and the importance of sticking things out to the end. And Mom worked hard, having four children in three and a half years before she was 20, under less-than-ideal circumstances, raising us with picnics and patience as we all grew up together in Blackett’s Lake. She left and divorced our father after we were all grown and well on our way, and moved to Ontario to start Life #2, which ended in 2016. Nova Scotia called her home for Life #3, and she has lived in the Valley with her oldest daughter since then. Chris’ legacy of hard work, integrity, and kindness to others lives on with her children, Bruce (Lynn-Marie) Polley, Ontario; Beverly (Carter) Smith, Kentville; Fred Polley, Kentville, and Susan (Gord) Ronalds, British Columbia; eight grandchildren; a brood of great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews and friends, spread from coast to coast across Canada. At Chris’ request there will be no funeral, but we will hold a celebration of life in the summer to remember and laugh, to tell stories, and be grateful to have had her in our lives for so very long. As Mom would say, "she’s in God’s hands now." Rest in Peace, Momma. Donations in memory may be made to a charity of your choice. Arrangements have been entrusted to the White Family Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Kentville.