Kendall Jane (Stratford) Blunden

Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in August 1961, Kendall was the eldest daughter of Tom and Judy Stratford, formerly of Winnipeg and now living in Calgary. She was a beloved big sister to Susan and Chris.

Kendall spent her childhood summers at Victoria Beach, along with a few long family road trips to Florida and California. Her school years were spent in Windsor Park, surrounded by friends, music, and later, work at Eaton’s.

After high school graduation and then earning a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Kendall followed in her father’s footsteps and became a chartered accountant. She began her career in Bermuda, much to the delight of her parents and sisters, who loved to visit.

Kendall met Douglas Blunden in Bermuda. After nine years on the island, they moved to Halifax in 1991 to settle and start a family. Kimberley was born in 1993, followed by Jason in 1995. Kendall loved her children deeply, advocated steadfastly for them, and warmly welcomed Jason’s partner, Kendra, into the family.

Kendall worked for the Nova Scotia Department of Health and later served as CFO of the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, while also serving the same role at Blunden Construction for 30 years.

In her free time, Kendall treasured her neighbourhood book club and the friendships it brought. She loved spending time at her cottage in Lunenburg, boating and enjoying time with family and her beloved dog, Jackson. The two were inseparable.

Kendall was an accomplished gardener and cook at both her Bedford and Lunenburg homes. Her family marvelled at her ability to recreate restaurant dishes by taste alone. She often prepared spectacular meals with vegetables she had grown herself. She was a gracious and generous host, preparing countless dinner parties for friends and family. A passionate wine connoisseur, Kendall travelled to wine regions around the world, staying in the great châteaux of France, castles in Scotland and England, and exploring California’s Napa and Sonoma valleys. In later years, she especially enjoyed trips to the Caribbean and Europe with her children.

Kendall is survived by Doug, Kimberley, Jason (Kendra), Tom and Judy, Susan (Christopher), and Chris (Rick), as well as many nieces, nephews, and friends scattered across Alberta, Manitoba, and Nova Scotia.

Kendall was a beautiful, thoughtful, and kind person all her life and is deeply missed.

A funeral will be held at J. A. Snow Funeral Home at 339 Lacewood Dr. Halifax on Thursday, September 17th at 10:00 am. A burial will follow at Second Peninsula Cemetery, Lunenburg.