Trijntje (Tena) Koehoorn, of Lyons Brook and the Maritime Odd Fellows Home, Pictou, Nova Scotia, passed away October 15th, 2014 surrounded by her family.
Tena was born the youngest of nine children, on a sailboat, April 18th, 1926 in Sint Annaparochie, The Netherlands to Elisabeth and Pieter Rienks. She married Willem (Bill) Koehoorn on April 16th, 1953 and six weeks later they boarded a boat bound for Halifax. After working on a farm in St. Peter’s, Cape Breton, they bought their own farm in Lyons Brook where they raised a family of four children.
Much of Tena’s life was dedicated to community service including numerous volunteer positions and long standing memberships with the Christian Reformed Church, New Glasgow; Lyons Book United Church; Women’s Institute of Nova Scotia, Progressive Conservative Party, and the local chapter of the Parkinson’s Society. She also worked many years as a hall monitor at West Pictou District High School.
Tena was an amazing seamstress, a life-long reader, an avid baker, and a local author of two books (Not Knowing and Dykes, Dams and Doors). Her love of the water and the beach was instilled early in life having grown up on a sailboat and on the canals of Holland. She was also defined by her love for family, her strong wit and determination, and her love of the Lord.
Tena is survived by her four children and their families: Elizabeth MacDonald (Douglas) of Quispamsis, NB; George Koehoorn of Hong Kong; Mieke Wilma Koehoorn (Paul) of Vancouver, BC, and Peter Koehoorn (Eileen) of Trenton, NS; eight grandchildren and great-grandchildren: Andrew MacDonald (Crystal) of Calgary, AB; Dale MacDonald of Toronto, ON; Daren MacDonald of Toronto, ON; Mieke Lowney (Jeremiah) of Quispamsis, NB; Bailey and Isaac Koehoorn of Trenton, NS; and Kaden Burns and Veronica Lowney of Quispamsis, NB.
She was predeceased by her husband William (February 9, 1997).
Visitation will be Saturday, October 18th, 2014 from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at the H.W. Angus Funeral Home, New Glasgow. Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 19th, 2014 from the Lyons Brook United Church, with Rev. Jim Webber-Cook officiating. Reception to follow in the church hall.
Tena’s family wish to thank the staff and residents of the Maritime Odd Fellows Home who provided her with care and community as she lived with Parkinson’s Disease. A very special thank you to Home staff and to Rev. Jim Webber-Cook for the support and kindness shown to Tena and family during her last days. Thank you also to family and friends who sent their support, love and food.
Donations may be made to the Parkinson’s Society Maritime Region(on-line: http://www.parkinsonmaritimes.ca/inner.php?page=51&sub=84 or by mail:7071Bayers Road, Suite 150, Halifax, Nova Scotia B3L 2C2
www.angusfuneralhomes.com