Obituary of Christena McKenzie, New Waterford

It is with profound sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of our beloved mother, Christena McKenzie (December 12, 1925 – February 23, 2021). She passed at the MacGillivray Guest Home lovingly surrounded by her children. Born in New Waterford, she was the daughter of the late Daniel "Piper Dan" and Mary (MacDonald) MacLeod. She is survived by her son, Blair (Florence) McKenzie, Port Hawkesbury, NS and daughters, Theresa McNeil, Brantford, ON, Monica (Clifford) Pickrem, Porters Lake, NS and Willena (Philip) Talbot, Hammonds Plains, NS. She also leaves behind five grandchildren, Adrian (Katie) McNeil, Bernice Meaney, William McKenzie, Pam (Donald) Kiezer, and Danielle Pickrem; as well as many great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews. After 62 years of marriage, she lost the love of her life, William “Big Bill” McKenzie. She was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by four sisters, Theresa MacLeod, Margaret MacLeod, Elizabeth Doucette and Sarah Gallagher; five brothers, Michael, Cecil, Daniel “Buster”, Archie and Raymond “Babe”; son, William (“Little Bill”) and grandson, Bernard McNeil. Christena was a stay-at-home mom who dedicated her life to raising her children. She was an especially religious person and loved going to mass at the former Mount Carmel Church and the chapel in the MacGillivray Guest Home. Besides being a wonderful mother, wife, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, she was an awesome baker. She was famous for her cinnamon rolls, which she happily shared. She loved listening to Scottish music and especially bagpipe tunes which reminded her of her father. Our Dad often told a story about how her father would play the “Wedding March” on the bagpipes while they were dating. We would like to thank her second family at the MacGillivray Guest Home for their care, compassion and love for Christena. We couldn’t have asked for a more loving environment for our mother in her later years. Donations can be made in Christena’s memory to R.C. MACGILLIVRAY GUEST HOME SOCIETY at https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/11749. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca. Visitation will be held in V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, 380 Smith Street, New Waterford on Monday, April 19, 2021 from 7-9 p.m. Social Distancing and masks are required. A private Funeral Mass of celebration will take place in the Parish Church of St. Leonard, Mount Carmel Avenue, with Father Peter McLeod officiating. Burial will follow in Mount Carmel Cemetery. Mom – your wings were ready, but our hearts were not. Hope you brought your marshmallows with you, we know Dad will be there waiting for them.