Christine Stornebrink

Mom grew up in the quiet countryside of Austria. She loved spending her free time outdoors where she sang and yodelled to her heart’s content. Mom also loved spending time caring for animals, including horses, pigs, chickens, and her black lab. At 18 years old, she moved to the Netherlands where she later met her husband, Peter. They lived there for about nine years raising their young family. Eventually they moved to Toronto, Canada, because of the housing shortage in Amsterdam. In Toronto and the suburbs, she lovingly cared for her husband and growing family, as well as several family cats who brought her much joy.

Mom was a meticulous and conscientious worker, a self-taught homemaker proficient in cooking, baking, sewing, and cleaning. She was very wise and had extreme determination in solving problems, and often told us, “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” Eventually she cleaned homes, offices, and trailers, and later became head supervisor over the cleaning staff at a Holiday Inn. Mom also worked for Rene, one of her sons, at his RV business where she became extremely adept and knowledgeable in the field. It was one of the best and happiest times in her life, prior to moving out west to retire with her husband in Victoria, BC.

Mom’s favorite color was blue, most often noted in the clothes she wore which brought out her beautiful blue eyes. She was especially fond of flowers, including ones she grew and tended to at home. She loved the church, in particular the traditional Latin mass. It also gave her great pleasure to bake for the church and for her family. Mom was known for her generosity, kindness, and sincerity by all.

Christine is survived by her husband Peter, and her children Trudy, Mieke, Elly, Rene, and Edward; her grandchildren, Christopher, Alayna, Amanda, and Katie; and a recent great-grandchild, Hazel.