Christa Virginia Kenner Bedford, age 86 of Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania passed away peacefully at Holy Redeemer Hospital on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at 5 AM.

Born September 9, 1937 in Cheltenham, PA to the late George and Margarete (Bohne) Kenner, she attended Cheltenham High School and was an enthusiastic member of the Cheltenham High School Choir.

She had a lifelong passion for horses and dogs. At nine years of age, she began independently riding her bike to a local barn, where she helped feed the horses and mucked out stalls in exchange for riding lessons. Her dedication and growing experience led her to become a trainer for the horse owners as a teenager.

In recognition of her skills, an owner gave her the opportunity to purchase a young thoroughbred filly, her first horse. She named her "Axelina," trained and showed her, winning regional hunter championships in 1959-1961.

She was also a Dance Director at the Arthur Murray Dance Studios, teaching ballroom dancing. She and her student won a gold medal in the 1959 Arthur Murray Dance Contest in Philadelphia.

In 1961 she met and married her husband, Robert L. Bedford (1935-2018), and moved with him to Seattle, Washington. She and Robert relocated to Huntsville Alabama and then to Cocoa Beach, Florida, following Bob's positions as an engineer at Boeing, Chrysler Corporation's Space Division, and Lockheed. They relocated to Santa Cruz and then Cupertino, California, where Bob worked for General Electric and Christa began dog training, teaching many students over the years. She and her silver German Shepherd, "Angela," won multiple trophies competing in American Kennel Club trials.

In 1971 Christa and Bob moved to Bryn Athyn, Pennsylvania, where they became lifelong members of the Bryn Athyn Church and Christa continued her dog training. In 1974 Christa realized a childhood dream when she was asked to open the Bryn Athyn Equestrian Center, a local stable which for the first time in the area provided children with low cost opportunities to learn and enjoy horseback riding. The BAEC operated for over twenty years and Christa taught hundreds of children riding. She continued teaching and developing as an equestrian herself, showing in Dressage, Eventing, and other equine sports.

The couple had two sons, Roy and Allen, and a daughter, Margo. When Christa and Robert became grandparents they began volunteering in the 3rd Grade Grandparents Program at the Bryn Athyn Church School. All of their grandchildren remember fondly seeing their own grandparents volunteering.

In 1999 Christa and Robert moved into Cairnwood Village, a retirement community in Bryn Athyn. Shortly after moving in, Christa was hired as assistant manager. She served in that capacity for nearly 16 years and continued volunteering afterwards to put on programs for residents and community members. She also continued dog training, giving her last lessons in September 2023. With declining health, she moved to Gloria Dei Personal Care at the Park in October 2023. She had an acute health crisis that took her to Holy Redeemer Hospital on March 12. She received continuous visits from family and friends, and her pastor and a group from the Bryn Athyn Church Society sang to her on Friday, March 15. She passed away early Saturday morning.

Beloved wife of nearly 58 years to the late Robert L. Bedford; her siblings, all born in Germany, David Kenner (1922-2002), Irene (1923-1923) and Charlotte (1926-1927). After the tragic loss of two baby girls, and the near-loss of their son due to "bad conditions" as George put it, the family immigrated in 1927 to the United States, settling in Cheltenham, where Christa was born ten years later.

Christa is survived by her loving children, Roy K. Bedford, Allen J. (Gillian) Bedford, and Margo B. (Jens) Langlotz; grandchildren, Amara G. Bedford, Felix K. Langlotz, Michelle S. Bedford, Alex V. Langlotz, Larson R. Langlotz, and Lydia J. Langlotz; as well as several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pegasus Therapeutic Riding Academy in Philadelphia https://www.pegasusridingacademy.com/ , which Christa supported, seeing this organization as continuing the dream of giving children the opportunity to learn horse riding she realized when she ran the Bryn Athyn Equestrian Center. Donations may be made in memory of Christa K. Bedford at https://www.pegasusridingacademy.com/make-a-donation/ .

A memorial service will be held at 4 PM on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at the Bryn Athyn Cathedral, 900 Cathedral Rd, Bryn Athyn, PA 19009. Interment will be held privately with the family.