Obituary of Tina Wynia

Tina Wynia (nee Appel)

January 13, 1931 - October 28, 2018

            Unexpectedly for us, but in His perfect way, the Lord took to Himself His child, Tina Wynia (nee Appel), on Sunday, October 28, 2018, in her 88th year.  Tina was born January 13, 1931, in Boskoop, the Netherlands, the 3rd of 9 children born to Gerard and Lena (Oosterwijk) Appel.  Tina was predeceased by her husband, John, in June 2014.  She leaves her children, Wilma and Bernie Benjamins, Gary and Nettie Wynia, Dick and Charlene Wynia, Dana and Pauline Wynia, and Sandy and Steve Katz, 14 grandchildren and 36 greatgrandchildren.

            Tina is survived by Audrey (the late Jack) Appel, Hugh and Jane Appel, Elaine and Arie Vandermeer, Alice and Bert Kamping, Mary and Wayne Kooy, Anne (the late Mel) Norder, Bep (the late Fetze) Wynia, Sjoekje (the late Herman) Hut, and Ulbe and Linda Wynia.  She was also predeceased by her brother Dick, her sister and brother-in-law Margaret and Art Berghegen, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Jan and Geiske Brouwer, Pieter and Meintje Braaksma, Grietje and Ru Kloos, Joop and Bep Wynia.

            Mom and Dad were engaged in the Netherlands, but married in Wellandport, Ontario, August 3, 1952.  The Appel family had emigrated to the Niagara area the previous year.  Mom had a very quick wit, and was known for the skits that she put on at many wedding receptions.  Even in the last years, when she had begun to suffer from dementia, her sense of humour remained keen.  She was not often lost for words!  Mom did some sewing, and quilting; she enjoyed making cards and knitting.  But her great love was singing; she often spoke of the time when at 7 years of age, Oma called her to stand beside the family pump organ, where it was determined that she was an alto.  She sang in Christian choirs from the age of 13, and was thankful to sing in the final years of her life with the Awake to Praise choir of Vineland.  When she moved into Shalom Manor, she was delighted to discover that there was a choir there for her to join!  Mom was an upbeat person, with a ready smile.  Mom was always content with her life; we can’t remember ever hearing her complain about her circumstances, even when things were difficult.  She loved life, and she enjoyed a very good measure of health until the very end; she was also very thankful for the place the Lord provided for her at Shalom Manor.  She was happy to spend time with her children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren; whenever we visited with her at Tabitha, at Orchardview or at Shalom Manor, we heard the same parting words as we walked away: “Do it again sometime!”

            Mom’s contentment and optimism were the fruit of her faith in the promises of the gospel.  We are thankful, above all, for the legacy of faith that she has left us.  She never forgot the text of the sermon that her minister preached when she made public profession of her faith, not long before leaving the Netherlands with her family to emigrate to Canada:

            “I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!  Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!”  Psalm 27:13-14

            Visitation for Tina will be held at the Trinity United Reformed Church, 99 Scott St., St. Catharines on Wednesday, October 31 from 7:00-9:00.  Her funeral will be held on Thursday, November 1, at 11:00 a.m. in the Trinity United Reformed Church.