Leila Marjatta Sinanan

Leila Sinanan, 93, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at the Finnish Canadian Rest Home in Vancouver on Feb. 25, 2019. Leila was born and educated in Mikkeli, Finland, the second of five children born to Helmi and Aarne Nikkinen; siblings Esko, Leni, Pertti, and Mikko; all deceased. Leila was pre-deceased by her son, Philip, in 1990. She is survived by her half-sister, Hellen (Jouko); husband, Dr. Eddison Sinanan; son, Mika (Jenny); daughter, Sarah (Mike), and grandchildren, Josh and Reilly Sinanan and Isabel and Nadya Bremner. Leila has many dearly loved nieces, nephews, and friends in Canada, Finland, Europe, Trinidad and the U.S.

Leila moved from Finland to the UK after she graduated in Nursing. She specialized in pediatric nursing and worked in Finland, the UK, and Northern Ireland. She met her husband Eddie when working in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and married in 1953. The family moved around the globe from Belfast to Finland, on to Trinidad and the United States, settling in Vancouver, Canada in 1966. Leila enjoyed the arts and architecture. She was a gifted artist, engaging in drawing, painting, pottery, printmaking, batik, and a wide variety of hand-crafted items such as tea cozies (for which she was famous). She made many of her own home furnishings and her touch was spread throughout her home. Leila was a fine cook and always took time to put out breakfast, snacks, tea, and elaborate dinners. She will be missed greatly.

The family would like to thank the care staff at the Finnish Home where Leila lived the last four years. She was made to feel at home and well-loved there. As well, we would like to thank all the family and friends who took time to visit her over the years; that was very important to her and to us.

There will be a memorial service at Redeemer Lutheran Church, 1499 Laurier Avenue at Granville Street, Vancouver BC on April 6th at 1pm.

The family would like to invite you to a reception to be held after at the Fellowship Hall after the service at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a charitable donation to the Phil Sinanan Memorial Bursary in Creative Writing at the University of British Columbia. Information for online and mail contribution is below:

Online:

To give online to the Phil Sinanan Memorial Bursary for Creative Writing, please visit this site (copy and paste, please):

https://donate.support.ubc.ca/page/18682/donate/1?transaction.dirgift=Phil%20Sinanan%20Memorial%20Bursary%20in%20Creative%20Writing%20C902

By mail:

Cheques made payable to The University of British Columbia.

In the memo line, add Phil Sinanan Memorial Bursary in Creative Writing.

Mail to 500-5950 University Blvd, Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z3