Christena Marie “Tena” Larson (nee Deagle) was someone you were happy to meet, she was full of life, laughter and love and this is well known to all who had the good fortune to know her. Tena lived large and loved deeply.
Tena was born in Inverness on June 2nd, 1956, the fifth oldest child to Peggy and Johnny Deagle. She was one of eleven children and took care of many siblings along the way that continued well into her adult years. Tena grew up in Inverness was a proud piper with the Inverness Pipes and Drums, loved music, family, gatherings, and children of all ages. Like her brothers, Tena had a deep love for horses and would often be seen at the racetrack mulling over the scorecard of the day. She took her education at Mount Saint Vincent and moved to New Brunswick after graduation where she met her husband of 40 years, Karl Larson. She and her husband made a home in Halifax for a number of years and for the past 15 or more years settled in Centerville, Nova Scotia. Tena was known to love her dogs and they were the happiest, luckiest dogs on the mountain.
Tena loved to travel and take whomever she could along for the ride, and while these travels took her to Paris, Greece, Italy, and Alaska to name a few her most favorite place to work, live and play was in Cape Breton.
Her qualities were many and the one thing she cherished above all others was family. Tena treasured getting together to celebrate the big and the small milestones in life. Tena was devoted to her family and her love and bond ran deep. She loved hearing about the goings on with all her nieces and nephews and wanted nothing but the best for all of them. Tena took extreme pride in being a Godmother and considered it an honour that she didn’t take lightly. She loved her nieces and nephews like her own and was genuinely interested in what was happening for them and their successes in life.
Tena had a way about her to make everyone feel welcomed and wanted. Those who knew Tena, know that a hot cup of tea between friends could solve just about any crisis. She had a gift in listening intently, teasing out the details, and leaving you to your own devices to make a needed decision.
Tena lived her values of knowing who she was and what she stood for. She was known to speak her mind and offer sage advice from time to time such as ‘let it float’ or ‘fill your boots’.
To Tena it was faith, family connection and clannish roots that were important above all else. We feel her loss today deeply and likely more in the days to come.
Tena is survived by her loving husband of 40 years, Karl Larson and their puppy Ginger, a beautiful golden retriever. She was predeceased by her parents, Peggy and Johnny Deagle, and brother, Raymond Deagle. She is survived by her 4 sisters and 5 brothers.
Memorial donations may be made to Central Inverness Palliative Care Society, P.O. Box 610 Inverness, Nova Scotia, BOEINO.
Visitation will be held from 3-7 pm, Sunday April 16th in Inverness Funeral Home.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, April 17th, in Stella Maris Church, Inverness, with Father Danny MacLennan officiating.
Online condolences may be made to: www.invernessfuneralhome.com.
