A self-described shy person, Chris Divens managed to engage people as she walked through her South End neighborhood, showing interest in their life stories and their pets. Intimidated by public speaking, she could not be silent when justice was at stake.
Born and raised in the small community of Level Green, PA, she embraced adventure, marrying the love of her life Jim Kfoury and moving to his native Boston where she worked with him to build his company, JK Glass, and traveled together all over the US and Paris, Venice, and Rome.
On May 23rd, Chris, 58, succumbed to the cancer she had lived with for 15 years. During that time, she never let her disease define her. She worked and saw the world, went dogsledding, took a wide range of courses, including many on spiritual healing and human wholeness, reveled in a family junket to explore her Swedish heritage, and loved being her pets' human (cats Avery and Murphy; Westies Izzy and Bella). She enjoyed time with family and friends, entertaining them with her warmth, great sense of humor and her giving heart.
Chris was a 1972 graduate of Penn-Trafford HS, a 1976 graduate of Grove City College, and in 1993 earned a Master’s Degree in public management from Carnegie-Mellon U. She worked for Brockway Glass, Consol Energy, and Westinghouse Printing in Trafford where she was assistant controller. Her grieving family and friends count themselves blessed to have had her in their lives.
Chris is survived by her beloved husband, Jim Kfoury, who gave her a life she cherished, her (step)children Justin (Pierre) and Yasmine, who appreciated her loving, consistent guidance, sister Carol Divens Roth (Mark) nieces Kristin Brown (Carl), Anna Roth, nephews Michael and Robert Divens, 3 great-nephews and great-niece, all of Pittsburgh, aunts, uncles and cousins. They all know themselves to have been objects of her generous affection and wish there had been more years to return the same. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert and Florence Divens and her brother, Robert Divens Jr. (Laraine).
A memorial service was held at Trinity Episcopal Church, Copley Square, May 30, 2012.
The family suggests donations to Trinity Boston Foundation, 206 Clarendon St, Boston, MA 02116. Or the Robert Divens Jr. Scholarship Fund, 262 Hillcrest Drive, Trafford, PA 15085.
Interment of ashes will take place at Irwin Cemetery, Irwin, PA at a date to be announced.