It is with sadness we announce the passing of our dear Mother, Grandmother, Great and Great-great Grandmother, Ina Tutte. She passed away peacefully at Bradley Centre January 13, 2012 in her 92nd year.
Ina has always been and will continue to be loved and adored by her children, Denny (Elaine) Toop; Sandra (Peter) Andreasen; Carol (Lawrie) Edwards; Kathy Smith; Shelley (Ted) Thomson. Grandchildren Darren (Jody) Toop; Dean (Nadine) Toop; Terry Kellington; Alison (Bob) Fitzsimmons; Shauna (Denis) Labelle; Kelsey (Jason Finnigan) Edwards; Andy (Sarah Rodgers) Smith; Mike (Amy) Smith; Stacey (Rene) Joensen; Ira Thomson; Jessie (Chris Mennell) Thomson. Great-grandchildren Chris (Crystal), Clayton (Stephanie), Curtis, Jessie, Blaire, Brooke, Randall, Evan, Colin, Brad, Scott, Mike, Abbie, Poppy, Brayden, Alex, Liv, Lukas and the cutest ones yet, Great-great-granddaughters Alea and Aluna. Ina was predeceased by her eldest grandchild, Randy Toop.
Ina May was born April 3, 1920 to Jack and Harriet Stevenson and granddaughter of pioneers Robert and Caroline Stevenson. She spent most of her 91 years in Sardis. She attended Sardis Elementary and Chilliwack High. She wanted to become a Pharmacist but her father thought a “career” as a wife and mother would better suit a young lady of the late 1930’s. Her children are very happy she took his advice.
In 1939 Ina married Alvin (better known as Abbie) Toop, the grandson of pioneers Hector and Sara Toop. Ina and Abbie owned and operated a dairy farm in “Tooptown” on Yale Road and raised 5 children born to the couple over a span of 18 years. A son and daughter and then 9 years later the start of what they would refer to as their second crop, 3 more daughters. In her “spare time” and before the arrival of the 2nd crop, Ina was chief cook and bottle washer for her little cafe -The Refresh Inn -famous for her burgers and pies.
In 1967 Ina was widowed and moved from the farm to Stevenson Road. In 1970 she married John Tutte and they were happily married for 36 years when she was widowed once again. She always said she felt very fortunate to have found true love twice.
Ina was a very talented lady. She was an avid gardener; she could sew, knit or crochet everything from afghans and clothes to the Sesame Street characters. She was an amazing cook and baker -even catered her children’s weddings complete with her homemade, one of a kind, turkey roll. Her best talent of all was “parenting”. She
really did have all the
answers. When in doubt, ”Ask Grandma, she’ll know!”
The family would like to thank the staff and residents at Birchwood for giving Mom a wonderful home for over two years. Thank you to the staff at Bradley Centre for the very compassionate care shown her in her final few months. A very very special thank you to Dr. Gord Enns. You are indeed, as Mom would say, “Just the Greatest”.
When there’s a sprinkle on the newly planted seeds; a gentle cooling breeze on a hot summer day; when we see the first smiles of the cutest baby yet; enjoy a good laugh from an old story told once again or when we have the feeling of a hug when we need it the most, we’ll know you’re with us.
Thanks a million Mom! We love you!
In lieu of flowers, if family and friends so desire, a donation to the Ina Tutte Memorial Bursary, Chilliwack School District #33 (8430 Cessna Drive, Chilliwack, BC V2P 7K4) would be greatly
appreciated. The funds from this bursary will go to female graduates pursing a career in Pharmacy. A very acceptable choice of profession for a young lady these days.
A celebration of Ina’s life will be held Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 2:00 at the Best Western Rainbow Country Inn, Industrial Way, Chilliwack.