Zegerina Grada (Rina) Aarnoudse was born on January 8th, 1915 in Ijsselmonde, Netherlands and passed away on August 28th, 2014 in the North Okanagan Hospice at the age of 99 years.
Rina will be lovingly remembered by her daughter, Lettie Maloney of Vernon, BC; three grandchildren, Jack (Lorrie) Aarnoudse, Terry (Debbie) Aarnoudse and Steven (Candace) Maloney; several great-grandchilden; numerous extended family members and friends. She was preceded in death by her husband Maris (Morris) in 2005; her son, Pieter in 2013; and all of her siblings.
Rina’s father owned a barge so she was raised on the barge but received her education on land in the area of Ijsselmonde. As an adult she thoroughly enjoyed acting and singing in the choir in Holland. In 1969 she left her home country and came to Canada to marry her childhood sweetheart Morris, who had previously come to Westlock, Alberta in 1948. His first wife, Nell, had died in 1968 and now Morris and Rina started a life together. They remained in Westlock until 1978 when they moved to Vernon. Morris and Rina had a very happy life together for 36 years until the death of Morris in 2005.
Rina loved needlework, tatting and embroidery. She was a gifted professional seamstress and made many beautiful garments through her life. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed many times of camping with family and friends. Rina had a passion for classical music. She could be found sitting and listening to Bach as well as other renowned composers of classical music for hours.
Cremation preceded a Graveside Service which will take place at the family plot in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery on Saturday, September 13th, 2014 at 3:00 P.M. At this time both Morris and Rina will be laid to rest, side by side, in the wood urns that Morris made for them both, long before his death.
As an expression of sympathy, those who wish to do so may send donations in memory of Rina to the North Okanagan Hospice Society, 3506-27th Avenue, Vernon, BC V1T 1S4
Funeral arrangements have been made with BETHEL FUNERAL CHAPEL LTD.
5605-27th Street, Vernon, BC V1T 8Z5 • 250-542-1187