October 15, 1930 - September 23, 2021
In Loving Memory ~ Engelina Antonia Tonen, of Hope BC, was born in Nijmegen, Netherlands, on September 15, 1930. She went to be with her Lord and Saviour on September 23, 2021, at the age of 91.
She is predeceased by her loving husband Joseph Tonen, who died on January 21, 2018.She is survived by her sons Tom (Marylou), David (Shelly), Paul (Cathy Lynn), and her daughter Lisa, who cared for her in her final years. Engelina has many grandchildren: Jeff and Denise; Patricia Joy, Joseph, and Nadia; Joshua, Savanna, Maria, and Teija as well as two great-grandchildren Maya and Alex.
Engelina was from the large Heutinck family. She is predeceased by her mother, Maria Heutinck (De Reuver), her father, Theodorus Bernardus Heutinck, and her brother, Ted Heutinck. Her life is remembered and celebrated by the siblings she leaves behind: Ria, Joke, Betty, John, Tina, and Terry.
Joe and Leny (the name she went by most), came to Canada in 1952 with the vision to create a better life for themselves and for their family. They first settled in the area of Cambridge, Ontario. From there, they spent time starting and growing their family in Sarnia (ON), Forest (ON), and Dartmouth (NS).
They enjoyed their retirement years in Sevierville, Tennessee, and at their cottage on Lake Mushamush in Nova Scotia, as well as in Fraser Valley, in B.C.
At the ripe old age of 77, Leny and Joe moved to Chilliwack, BC, to get away from the damp Nova Scotia winters. They chose to settle in the Fraser Valley in their final years, to enjoy beautiful British Columbia.
Leny loved nature. She and Joe were faithful in going for walks every day. Whether on a beach in Nova Scotia, a trail in The Smokey Mountains, in Tennessee, or through the mountain vistas of British Columbia, she loved the fresh air, the beauty of creation, and the sounds of the birds.
She didn't love to cook, but she did love to bake. Her specialty was the best homemade butter tarts in the world, along with her Dutch pannekoek, and oliebollen, (our never-forgotten New Year's tradition).
She will be missed deeply but never forgotten. Her legacy to us is morals and values she instilled in all to make this world a better place will be carried on in her children, and grandchildren.
Enjoy the freedom you now have in Heaven, Mother. We will see you again one day!