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February 27, 2019
Terttu passed away in Salmon Arm, BC, on February 27th, 2019, at the age of 81 years.

Terttu was born in Kuortane, Finland, and grew up on the family farm. She studied languages (English, Latin, German, Swedish, and Dutch) at the university in Turku. In 1969, she moved to Canada and married Ahti. They resided together in the Salmon Arm area for almost fifty years.

As a member of the Finns of the Shuswap, Terttu connected with the local Finnish community and developed valued friendships. Hobbies in her earlier years included sewing and playing tennis. Much of her life as a homemaker was filled with the tasks of keeping up a household and garden, but she did make time for a good cup of coffee and her jigsaw and sudoku puzzzles. She enjoyed reading and studied diligently, taking careful notes on topics of interest, particularly English literature. Her love of learning was exemplified by her desire to use a computer to send emails in her mid-seventies. She was a volunteer at the Churches Thrift Store and liked to serve the community in that way.

Terttu is survived by her husband, Ahti, two children, Liisa (Tim) and Mika (Wendy), and two grandchildren, Alex and Erik. Also mourning her passing are two sisters, three brothers, and their families in Finland.

We extend a special thank you to Dr. Weicker, Dr. McKinnon, and the staff at Shuswap Lake General Hospital and Bastion Place for the high level of care that Terttu received in her final months. To honour their kindness, donations to the Shuswap Hospital Foundation in her name would be deeply appreciated. We would also like to thank the members of Deo Lutheran Church for their many years of love and support.

A memorial service will be held at Deo Lutheran Church (1801 30th Street NE, Salmon Arm) on Saturday, April 13th at 2pm. Terttu believed in taking care of one's health and in education for all. Her quiet, gentle manner demonstrated her wish for peace in the world and an end to all conflicts. She will be dearly missed.



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