Mrs. Annikki Lintunen

Annikki was born January 31st, 1934, in Kauhajoki, Finland to parents Aleksi and Hilda (Perala) Harju. Fond memories were made on the family farm with her eight adult siblings - Alpi, Aune, Antti, Aatos, Aire, Aini, Lea, and Hilkka (sadly four siblings, Anna, Aila and two others passed when they were young). She recalled stories of playing, singing, dancing, and helping with the younger siblings (she was the eldest daughter).

Annikki met her husband, Esa Lintunen, in 1954. They were married on January 30, 1955, following a whirlwind romance. In Finland, the family quickly grew from two to seven as they welcomed their sons Aki, Jouni, Juha, Johannes "John", and Pekka. The young family immigrated to Canada in 1965 - arriving first in Montreal and eventually moving to Toronto where their daughter Anne was born (finally a girl!).

In 1968 the Lintunen family moved to Vancouver where Annikki would live for the rest of her life. Though a very proud Canadian, Annikki never forgot about her Finnish roots. She made regular trips to Finland to visit her siblings and their growing families; her last trip being an extended stay in 2019.

Annikki had many friends whom she met through her involvement within the community. She was a dedicated member of the Finnish Bethel Church (Kotikirkko), a volunteer with the church's youth camp, President of the tenant’s association where she lived by Finnish Home, and a long-term volunteer at the British Columbia Finnish War Veteran's Association. She spent many years working as a care aide at the Finnish Rest Home where she continued to volunteer after her retirement in 1994. It was her home away from home and where she would eventually become a resident in 2021.

Her life was spent in service to others: God, her family, and friends. She was an amazing mother to her children and her daughter-in-laws (Laura, Diane, Judy, Kelly, Wendy) and son-in-laws (Graham and Jorma). Her love for her grandchildren knew no bounds: Jason (Stephanie), Ryan (Janessa), Shane (Katie), Bradley (Andrea), Nathan (Sylvia), Justin, Kurtis (Jenny), Josh (Carla), Suzy (+), Dustin, Kyle, Trevor (Shae), Mattias (+), Jaakob, Joseph, Spencer and Saara. She was blessed with fourteen great-grandchildren: Taylor, Cole, Jackson, Emily, Cache, Natalia, Sonja, Callum, Skyler, Oliver, Finley, Kaden, Cierra and Nickie. She was also a second mother to many - too many to list here!

Annikki always managed to find joy in life even when faced with life's challenges. Driven by faith she quietly shared her love of God with those around her. She loved spending time with family and friends, singing at church, taking long walks, cheering on the Vancouver Canucks hockey team, listening to music, and watching figure skating, The Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy and The Young and the Restless on TV. She had a wonderful sense of humour - her smile and the twinkle in her eyes will be remembered by all who had the privilege to know her.

Although a two-time cancer survivor, the disease returned with a vengeance earlier this year. Annikki fought hard and, despite being in significant pain, she remained a positive light to her family and friends until she went home to be with God. Her last months were made comfortable through the amazing care provided by the staff of the Finnish Rest Home. Special thanks from the family go to the home's Administrator, Tanya Rautava, who considered Annikki a member of her own family.

Annikki's life is planned to be celebrated on September 11th. There will be a graveside service at Forest Lawn in Burnaby, B.C. followed by a celebration of life service at the Finnish Bethel Church in Vancouver. In lieu of flowers donations to the Finnish Canadian Rest Home Association would be appreciated: https://finncare.ca/support-us

Mom; rest in peace.