Christine Stefula, 98, beloved wife of the late Steve Stefula, passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 1 in her home at College Walk, Brevard NC. Christine was born in Myjava, Slovak Republic (then Czechoslovakia) on February 6, 1919. She was the daughter of the late Stefan and Anna Vanek. Christine emigrated to the United States in 1937, and lived in New Jersey where she met Steve. Christine and Steve were married on April 15, 1941. They settled in Demarest, New Jersey where Christine worked for Bergan Knitting Mills making sweaters and other knitwear. Their love of the ocean brought them to Bradenton FL., where they lived for several years before settling in Brevard in 1975. They built a home on See Off Mountain, where they lived for nearly 30 years before moving to the Deer Track community in town. Christine moved to College Walk in 2015. Christine and Steve were blessed with 70 years together, sharing a remarkable lifetime filled with all that they loved to do. Long time members of the See Off Homesteader’s Club and Friends of the Library, they biked and hiked together, and were active members of the Pisgah Hiking Club for 30 years. They loved the ocean, and for many years enjoyed vacationing at Myrtle Beach, SC and Bradenton, FL. They traveled cross-country by car, and enjoyed many trips visiting family and friends in Czechoslovakia. In Czechoslovakia they witnessed the first free election after the 1989 fall of communism. Long time volunteers with ‘Meals on Wheels’, they received the N.C. Governor’s Service Award honoring them for 27 years of service. Christine is survived by her niece, Lillian Pekrul of Dover, DE, Grand nieces Kristen (Tony) DiLorenzo of Rocky Hill, CT, and Susan (Herb) Miller of Baltimore, MD, grand nephew Mark (Wendy) Pekrul, and their children Caroline and Robert, of Ellicott City, MD, and Great-grand nephew Adam (Heidi) Miller, and their children Benjamin and Jocyln of Baltimore, MD. Special friends Sue, Nancy, Judy and Bill brought much joy into her life. In addition to Steve and her parents, Christine was predeceased by her brother John Vanek, and sister Zuzana Oujezdsky, also several nieces and nephews, all in Slovakia. Christine loved the natural beauty of the world around her, and enjoyed flowers, birds, the mountains and waterfalls. She longed to return to her little house in the woods. Christine was an excellent cook, especially of dishes reminiscent of Slovakia. Always gracious and thoughtful, she was thankful for the very special care she received from the staff at College Walk, and from the caregivers of Compassionate Home Care. Christine’s family is forever grateful for the friendships of Sue and Nancy and Judy and Bill, and for the loving care provided by all of her caregivers. A Memorial service will be held at College Walk, 3pm on July 19. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Christine’s memory to Compassionate Home Care, c/o Four Seasons Foundation, 221 N. Main St., Hendersonville NC 28792 or to Meals on Wheels, PO Box 485, Brevard, NC 28712.

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