Virginia Beach – Christina Marie Pierce, nee Rogers, age 80, passed away on February 1, 2026, at home in Virginia Beach. VA following a brief illness.

Christina was born in Detroit, MI, the daughter of William and Lauretta Rogers and sister of Sandra Rogers. She grew up in the Grosse Pointe area, and attended college at Michigan Tech in Houghton, MI, where she met the love of her life and best friend Richard. Rich and Chris were married for over 60 years. They moved from Detroit to the Chicago area, where they raised their daughter, Cindy. Chris was passionate about finishing her education, completing her undergraduate degree at Governor’s State University in Forest Park, IL and going on to earn her CPA designation and beginning the MBA program at University of Chicago. Rich’s work brought them to Cleveland, and Chris completed and earned her MBA degree from Case Western University while also working full time in real estate portfolio management for the Jacobs Group and later Key Bank in Cleveland. While in Cleveland, Chris was able to return to her lifetime love of horses and riding.

Chris and Rich retired early, sold their home in Cleveland and spent time exploring the East coast and the Bahamas on their sailboat, Tardis. They eventually settled on dry land in Vero Beach, FL, and traded their boat for an RV. They enjoyed traveling the country with Max, their standard poodle. In retirement, Chris was active in the local arts community, serving in various capacities with the Vero Beach Art Club, including as chairperson for the Under the Oaks art festival and show. Chris also loved making pottery in her home studio and helping to care for rescued horses. After Richard passed away in 2024, Chris moved to Virginia Beach, VA to be near Cindy’s family.

Chris was preceded in death by her parents, William and Lauretta Rogers and sister, Sandra Rogers Cleland. Surviving family includes, her daughter, Cynthia (Pierce) Leo, son-in-law, Terrence and granddaughter, Zoe Emerson Leo, who hold Chris in their hearts now and forever.