Christa Nora Chabala

Christa can best be described by these words: God, Family, and Food. In her 93 years here with us she experienced an abundance of each.

Christa was born in Granschütz, Germany on December 31, 1932. She grew up in Germany during World War II alongside her loving parents, Anna Hilda and Heinrich, and her older sister Ruth and younger sister Inga; all of whom have preceded her into Heaven.

She emigrated to the United States at 21 and became a naturalized citizen shortly after. After learning English, she began work in parochial schools as a beloved Kindergarten teacher. She adored children and threw herself into the care of those in her classes.

While teaching, she met and married her husband of 30 years, Stephen Chabala. Together, they raised their daughter, Laura, and Stephen’s son (Christa’s stepson), Stephen. Christa was overjoyed when her daughter, Laura, made her an Oma four times. She loved and was loved by her grandchildren, Brittany, Nicholas, Alexander, and Adam. She was also a doting great-oma to Brittany’s (Daniel) children, Heidi and Jacob, and Nicholas’s (Angelica) daughter, Sienna. Her love for her family encompassed her bonus grandchildren, Christina (Jay) and Brian (Cara), and Christina’s children, Joseph and Gianna. Her greatest joy was gathered from taking part in the lives of those she loved most.

To some she was Christa, to others Oma, and to others still Dede. No matter the role she played, her loss will be felt deeply and her light forever missed. Wir lieben dich, we love you.

Memorial Visitation will be held at Edward F. Carter Funeral Home, located at 170 Kings Ferry Road, Montrose, NY, 10548, on Sunday, February 22, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Christopher Church, 3094 Albany Post Rd, Buchanan, NY, 10511, on Monday, February 23, 2026, starting at 10:00 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee, 38105, or online at www.stjude.org.