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m. 28 May 1930
Facts and Events
Mentally and physically handicapped BIOGRAPHY: Slightly mentally and physically challenged. Died when heart murmur worsened and heart valve failed. The following is from the eulogy at her funeral:
BIOGRAPHY: I'm Albert Stadt, and I'm speaking for my family of our memories of Tante Mien. I'm speaking for my father Bill, mother Nellie, brothers John and Randy, and my sister Diny. We have many fond memories of the times Mien came with her parents to visit us, but our relationship became the strongest when we became neighbours in 1980. From that time till now our family lived next door to her in the duplex on Blenkinsop Rd. Mien had had many other homes before this. From her birth in Java Indonesia till her death on her 71st birthday last week, she had had 14 homes. In 1940 she moved from a home with a gardener, cook, and butler in Indonesia to a log cabin without plumbing in northern BC. She started school in a one room school house in Barrett and finished formal schooling in grade 6. Her father continued to teach her at home after that. Up north, she used to go skiing in the evening by moonlight. Later the family moved to a number of locations in southern BC finally ending up in Victoria, where her parents died in 1984. Mien had an excellent relationship with her mother. They were very close and knew how to laugh together. Often they were seen laughing wildly with poor Opa shaking his wise head, not appreciating these laughing spells about "nothing." Mien had her most enjoyable job when she was employed doing housework for a family in Kelowna. Since 1984, Mien has known a lot of independence. She inherited the house after her parents passed away and started a new life. Her twin sister Lucy has consistently been her faithful chauffeur for groceries and medical appointments. Lucy introduced her to the Garth Homer Society and Mien worked there for 15 years. Lucy spent a lot of time there too as a volunteer. Garth Homer played a big role in Mien's life. She often talked to us about her friends there. Though she had retired from their program years before, Garth Homer sent a birthday card to both sisters last week. Mien had many other involvements. She came to church and met with the Youth of Yesterday, the Lydia Circle, and the Seed Household with Josi. One time the PCS Ukulele choir played for the Youth of Yesterday. Mien was so proud that she was the only one able to identify the piece that they played. She loved to sing "Father I Adore You" with the Lydia Circle where she was a faithful member. She kept up long term correspondence with some old friends. She exchanged letters with Jenny Koning for decades, and also with Janny Hoffman whom she had known since she was a teenager. BIOGRAPHY: Mien had a special relationship with her nephews and nieces and kept track of all of their birthdays. She was especially close to Diny with whom she went out to the movies. I always joked around with her. I called her "Mien Aunt Herman" though of course we both knew it was spelled M I E N since she was anything but mean. I loved her and pretended to cry when she had to go home. She would say, "No tears, Vos!" She had lots of memories of us kids when we were young. I stayed at her house when I was three. When Mien and her parents were doing their TV exercises, they soon were watching my attempts more than they watched the TV. In the summers of the '80s and '90s Mien enjoyed beach afternoons at Elk lake with our family. Bill and Mien have always had quite a banter between them. Naturally Mien always had the last word because she was the older sister. For the past 10 years Bill has phoned Mien up at 9:30 every day to invite her over. He'd make her tea and they'd shoot the breeze. Nellie and Mien went on short holidays. Once they went to Lynden and stayed in a Dutch windmill. Another time they took the train to Courtenay. Mien loved to sit at home and watch TV. Among her favorite shows, she loved watching "Are You Being Served" as well as nature shows. She would come over to our side and describe what she'd seen, with a perfect memory for the actors' names. BIOGRAPHY: In conclusion, it was divine timing that she died last week after celebrating her 71st birthday with our entire family. What an excellent way to say goodbye, though we didn't know it at the time. She has touched people far and wide. A friend in the Netherlands has been lighting a meter-long memorial candle for several evenings now. Mien has been an important part of our life and we are going to miss her.
BIOGRAPHY: Dear Dad, Uncle Bill, Aunt Lucy, and Families, BIOGRAPHY: I'm not sure if Aunt Lucy has email. Could one of you pass this on to her? Albert, could you give this to your parents, John, Randy and Diny also? BIOGRAPHY: We were surprised and sad to hear that Aunt Minnie passed away this week. Sandie and I want to express our condolences to you and your families. We are glad, though, that Aunty Min died quickly without suffering, and after celebrating her birthday with family who were very dear to her. I can't help thinking she would have chosen this way had it been up to her. I hear she was getting sick and facing some serious heart surgery. Maybe it's better she died with family nearby, and on the threshold of her own home, than in a crowded hospital or on the operating table. BIOGRAPHY: It hurts to have a missing piece in the family. This will be very hard to get used to. Aunt Min has always been a constant caring and joyful part of family visits. She sure liked to joke with her nephews and nieces about what was going on in her life and ours. I will miss seeing her on our visits to Victoria. I'll miss her stories about the children in our families, about people at her church, and about her work at the Garth Homer Centre. I'll miss the crocheted slippers that she made for us - my last pair saw me all the way through college, and warmed my toes in the drafty houses and basement suites Albert, John and I used to rent. BIOGRAPHY: I am very glad Sandie had a chance to meet Aunt Min a year ago Christmas. Sandie really took to her, and will miss her too. BIOGRAPHY: Our condolences particularly go to Aunt Nell, Uncle Bill, Albert, Diny, John and Randy. You were very close to Aunt Min as family, caregivers and neighbours, and this must be particularly difficult for you. Uncle Bill, you were right with her when she collapsed, which had to have been very difficult, but also kind of a privilege to support her through that transition as a brother and friend. Aunt Lucy, I'm sure you'll miss your twin a lot. And dad, your big sister. BIOGRAPHY: We are sorry we can't be physically with you at Aunt Min's memorial. We will be able to visit in a few weeks and will see you then. Our prayers and thoughts are with you as we all grieve and remember and celebrate Aunty Min's life. BIOGRAPHY: Love, BIOGRAPHY: Ken and Sandie
BIOGRAPHY: Subject: Tante Minnie CC: jan_stadt@telus.net, elskejansen@shaw.ca, kstadt@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca Date: Thu, 4 Jul 2002 10:04:35 -0600 To: Albert Stadt <uc276@victoria.tc.ca> Albert, BIOGRAPHY: Yours is the only email address I have of the cousins, aunts and uncles (I've already talked with Dad and Mom) so I'm sending this message to you and, if you think it's appropriate, please send it along to the others. (I've copied it to my own immediate family.) BIOGRAPHY: I was paradoxically both shocked and unsurprised at the news of Tante Minnie's death yesterday. I am so thankful we had a chance to visit with her last week. It was clear then that her health was not good, and she sounded like she was suffering from congestive heart disease. When I said goodbye to her, I had a sense that I would not see her again. I also had a strong sense that she knew the end was near for her. However, she was also very much her old self, delighting in family and in telling stories about her life and the lives of those she was closest to. I have always appreciated her gentle, simple loving; seeing the best in everyone, and sympathizing instead of criticizing when someone was struggling. BIOGRAPHY: I'm so thankful she had the birthday celebration with the family before she died! Celebrating her and Lucy's birthdays, and the added bonus and excitement of a surprise celebration of Tante Nellie's birthday and retirement, would, I'm sure, have been a real highlight in her life. I'm also thankful that for her, death was swift and gentle--as if God said, "Minnie, it's time to come home", and she answered simply and promptly as she has always done. BIOGRAPHY: My heart goes out to all of you there, though. She was so much a part of your lives that I imagine she leaves quite a hole. I think especially of poor Uncle Bill, who was alone with her when it happened (and how thankful I am that Mom arrived on the scene shortly after!), and of Aunt Lucy, who has lost a twin, and my Dad, who has lost his first sibling, and of course Tante Nellie, who has been so closely involved in her daily care and support. It's the end of an era. BIOGRAPHY: I (and of course Anthony and Teresa) will be with you all in spirit and prayer in the coming days and especially during the funeral. I hope it is a good occasion for all of you, to both grieve and celebrate with tenderness our beloved Tante Minnie. BIOGRAPHY: We wish you all shalom. Heather, Anthony and Teresa
BIOGRAPHY: The King's University College 9125 - 50th Street Edmonton, Alberta CANADA T6B 2H3 phone: 780-465-8365 fax: 780-465-3534
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