Christena Carkner

Christena Carkner (nee Burton), a resident of Dundas Manor in Winchester for the past 12 years, passed away on Fri., Oct. 3, 2008. She was 90.
She was born in Aultsville on March 25, 1918 to John and Molly Burton (nee Garlough), and was raised in Aultsville.
On Sept. 29, 1937 she married Alfred Carkner, and together they had six children Audrey, Donald, Lawrence, Roger, David, and Lester. She had a great life and never complained about anyone or anything, and living on the farm wasn't always easy. She was small in stature, only 4' nothing, but she was big on the inside and feisty. She had to be to live with Alfred who was 6'1", and a family of one daughter and five boys.
She was an excellent cook and baker. She loved catering to banquets whether it was for the Ladies Aid group at the Presbyterian Church in Chesterville, or the Elma Women's Institute, or on her own as a business.
Christena was also a great leader and public speaker, and these skills served her well in her role as President of the Women's Institute for many years. She also organized euchre parties and bus trips to different locations for site seeing and shopping.
Christmas time meant a special gathering of the family in the Carkner house; playing cards, feasting on turkey featuring her "special dressings;" her own recipe of cranberries, pies, several kinds of squares, and peanut butter balls which were perfectly sized to pop in your mouth, one at a time. She was always the last one to sit at the table and the first one finished. She insisted that the food should be "cleaned up" so she wouldn't have to put it away.
Quilting was also a passion for Christena. The family still has many of these precious quilts that were meticulously made and packed full of quilt lining material to be sure they were warm, not like thin little store bought quilts. Some of the designs were absolutely beautiful, especially the double wedding ring design. She had made enough ahead that each of her grandchildren would get one.
She is survived by her children Audrey (Bob) Henophy of Morrisburg, Donald (Glenna) of Kingston, Roger (Trudy) of Kingston, David (Janet) of RR#1 Chesterville, and Lester (Celine) of Ottawa. She was predeceased by her husband Alfred, a son Lawrence, a grandson Wayne Henophy, and a brother Clarke Burton. She will be fondly remembered by 15 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandson. She is also survived by nieces and nephews.
Friends called at the Marsden and McLaughlin Funeral Home in Williamsburg on Mon., Oct. 6. The funeral service was held at the funeral home on Tues., Oct. 7 with Rev. Elaine Beattie officiating followed by interment at Maple Ridge Cemetery in Chesterville. The pallbearers were Mark Carkner, Christopher Carkner, Shawn Carkner, Peter Brunt, Rick Bull, and Rick Doyle.
Donations to Winchester District Memorial Hospital would be appreciated by the family.