Christine Stephenson Kaywork, a devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, beloved daughter, and cherished friend, passed away peacefully on January 19, 2025, at the age of 84. Born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1940, Christine brought light and warmth into the lives of all who knew her. Her unwavering kindness, remarkable strength, and dedication to her family will be deeply missed by her family and friends.
Relatives and friends are invited to meet at the Armitage Wiggins Funeral Home 596 Belgrove Drive in Kearny on Saturday February 1, 2025 at 12 noon. Memorial service prayers will be offered at 12:30.
Christine was the daughter of Walter and Jessie Stephenson and grew up in Kearny, New Jersey. She attended Kearny High School, and it was there that she met the love of her life, Paul Kaywork.
In 1957, Christine and Paul married and began a life full of love, laughter, and shared adventures. Together, they raised three children: Linda Barbieri, Christine Rastguelenian, and Pamela Kaywork, who were her pride and joy. Her love for her family was boundless, and she was always their greatest supporter and confidante. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren rounded out her perfect family, becoming the highlight of her life. She not only saw her own children grow and mature, but also her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, leaving a true heritage of family love and an abundance of memories of the dear one we call, Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma.
Christine and Paul resided in Kearny until 1993, then moved to Bayville, NJ for 22 years where she enjoyed living on the water and observing the multitude of wildlife living around her. She was a resident of Little Egg Harbor at the time of her passing.
Christine is survived by her beloved husband, Paul, her children, Linda and her husband Doug Barbieri, Christine and her husband Nerses Rastguelenian, and Pam; her grandchildren, Emalee DeCaprio and her husband John, Melani Kovacs and her husband Jake, Luke Rastguelenian, and Ryan Rastguelenian, and her great-grandchildren Andie DeCaprio, Bennett and Bradley Kovacs, and soon to be Rylee DeCaprio. She is also survived by numerous extended family members and friends, including her brothers-in-law, Ira and Lee Kaywork, and sisters-in-law, Mary Bender and Sharon Sterople. She is preceded in death by her mother and father, Walter and Jessie Stephenson, whom she lost as a very young adult, but forever remembered and loved them.
Christine was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star of New Jersey, Nutley Chapter #121.
Christine Stephenson Kaywork will be remembered for her boundless love, her gentle spirit, and her unwavering devotion to her family and friends. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy of kindness and compassion will live on in all who were fortunate enough to know her.