September 11, 1939 - July 28, 2021
It is with great sadness that the family of Regine Julienne Marie Norlin, (nee Van Hyfte), announce her passing on July 28th, 2021, at the age of 81 years at Foothills Medical Centre, in Calgary, AB.
Regine will be remembered as someone who was deeply committed to forming and nurturing relationships in both her personal and professional life. She always took an interest in the lives, experiences, accomplishments, and trials of her family and friends, and she enjoyed a good conversation.
Regine was stoic, dignified, and private, but also loyal and loving. She was a listener, an advisor, a hostess to many visitors, compassionate in times of loss, joyful in times of celebration, and always present in her own quiet ways. Her death will leave a void for many.
Regine was born in Thieulian, Belgium, on September 11th, 1939, a few days after the beginning of the Second World War. She was the second oldest of five children born to Leon and Aline Van Hyfte. Her family immigrated to Canada in 1949, settling first in Minto, Manitoba, and then in Irma, Alberta where Regine completed high school.
Regine attended the University of Alberta to attain her teaching credentials, and began her career in Wainwright, Alberta, where she met her future husband, Ernest Norlin. They were married August, 22nd, 1964. Regine and Ernie moved to Salmon Arm, B.C. in 1967. They raised two sons and enjoyed long careers as educators in a variety of roles with School District #89, until their retirements in 1997.
They moved to Calgary in 1998, splitting their time between Alberta and their lake property in British Columbia. Regine's summer leisure time was spent lakeside for many years, first on Parker Beach at Lake Okanagan, and then at Scotch Creek, on the north shore of Shuswap Lake. The lake was a retreat, but also a gathering place, and many visits will be fondly remembered by Regine's family.
Regine is survived by her sons, Marc Norlin, (Vicky Smith), and Lee Norlin, as well as her brothers Michael Van Hyfte, (Jeanette), and Rene Van Hyfte, (Judy), grandchildren Scott Norlin, (Taylor), Donavan Smith, (Madison), and Samantha Norlin, nephews (Vincent Van Hyfte, Jason Van Hyfte, Curtis Van Hyfte, Christopher Van Hyfte, Jamie Van Hyfte), and nieces, (Chantelle Mooney, Christine Howe, Andrea Holowka), and their children, as well as other extended family.
Regine's family is very grateful that we were able to gather at Lougheed House in Calgary in September of 2019 to celebrate her 80th birthday.
Regine was predeceased by her husband Ernest Ivor Norlin, parents Leon and Aline Van Hyfte, sister Mary Marchand, and brother Daniel Van Hyfte.
Regine's family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the numerous members of the Calgary medical community that provided their care and expertise in the treatment of her PKD and subsequent complex medical history, in providing dialysis for nine years, in supporting her kidney transplant in 2014, and for the compassionate care she received in the Foothills Medical Centre in her final days
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated for Regine on Thursday, August 5th at 11 am, at Corpus Christi Catholic Church, 404 Northmount Place NW, Calgary, Alberta. Interment will take place at a later date in Salmon Arm, B.C.
In memory of Regine, donations can be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada.