TINA “TRIJNTJE” VISSER

Tina (Trijntje Wieringsma) Visser, 99, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at the Emo long-term care facility in Emo, Ont.
She was born Nov. 1, 1913 in Stiens, Friesland, The Netherlands. She enjoyed doing deliveries on bike for her father’s fish store with her sister, as well as sailing, swimming, and bookkeeping.
She was united in marriage to Lourens Visser in Drachten, The Netherlands on May 19, 1938. On June 9, 1940, Lourens and Tina were blessed with a daughter, Sijtske. She tragically passed away on Feb. 16, 1943.
Sons Richard, John, Syd, Sam, and Meine were born in the years following.
In the summer of 1957, Lourens and Tina, along with their five sons, immigrated to Canada and in 1959 they settled in Rainy River District.
Tina soon became an active member of the Women’s Institute branch in Aylsworth in 1960. Her involvement with the W.I. and Emo Museum became very special to her and included many roles, including secretary/treasurer of the branch, then the district, and then for the entire Northwestern Ontario region.
Beginning in 1965, she spent three years as a provincial board director and twice a year attended meetings in Toronto or Guelph. Her involvement with the Women’s Institute also included travel to Victoria, Kansas City, Vancouver, Den Hague, and Ireland.
She was honoured with a lifetime member status, and received a volunteer award for her work with the Emo Museum, which included involvement with teas, bake sales, and luncheons.
Tina also played an integral part in getting the murals installed outside of the museum building, of which she was very proud.
Tina enjoyed reading, and often could be found with a book or paper in hand, along with a good cup of coffee.
Family was very important to Tina, and many Saturday evenings or Sunday afternoons were spent with the family around the kitchen table. She also enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, and later on with her great-grandchildren.
Surviving Tina are her sons, Richard, John (Liz), Syd (Joyce), and Meine (Cathy); daughter-in-law, Marlene; grandchildren, Roy (Christy), Neil, Melanie (Don), Anthony (Suzanne), Brenda (Tony), Charlene (Nathan), Linnea (Craig), Lauren (Eric), Sieb, Tina (Chris), Brian, Alex, and Gina; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, and nieces and nephews in the Netherlands.
Tina also had a special place in her heart for Christine Williams.
Tina was predeceased by her husband, Lourens; daughter, Sietske; son, Sam; and daughter-in-law, Metta.
Cremation has taken place, and a service in memory of Tina was held on Saturday, April 20, 2013 at 11 a.m. at the Northridge Funeral Home in Emo, with Rev. Ralph Fluit officiating.
Interment will take place at a late date.
In lieu of flowers, in memoriam donations may be made to the Women’s Institute/Emo Museum or the Emo Hospital c/o Northridge Funeral Home, P.O. Box 89, Emo, Ont., P0W 1E0.
Online condolences may be offered at www.northridgefuneralhome.com