Anna Kirstine Kvist

Stinne passed away peacefully on May 6, 2011. A caring and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she lived life to the fullest.

She was predeceased in 1980 by her loving husband, Ejlif, and is survived by sons, Ove (Mona), Peter (Georgina), and daughter, Kirsten (Meguido), all of Greater Vancouver; 8 grandchildren, David (Shawna), Steven, Paula (Rick), Anthea, Todd, Keith, Jeffrey, and Allison; 5 great grandchildren, Emilie, Anna, Brynn, Kailee and Alexis; Also many relatives and friends in Denmark.

Stinne was born in the small village of Hee, on the west coast of Denmark, on 17th April, 1917. She had happy years growing up on her family’s farm. As a young woman, Stinne was trained as a gymnast and teacher at the Gymnastikhøjskolen in Ollerup, Denmark. During this time, she met the love of her life, Ejlif Kvist, whom she married in 1941 during the tense times of World War II. Shortly after Ejlif’s liberation from concentration camp at the war’s end, she and her young family left Denmark in 1951 to start a new life in Vancouver. It was a decision they never regretted. They had a busy and productive life, living in North Vancouver and enjoying summers at their cabin at Hopkins Landing.

For over 50 years, Stinne was a faithful and tireless stalwart of the Danish Lutheran Church, Burnaby; a member of the Danish Choir; and a volunteer and leader in the Dania Home Society and other various charities.

With her energy, her vibrant personality, and her open-hearted love of all people, Stinne gathered about her a large and devoted following of friends and acquaintances. A woman of substance and strength, Stinne cherished her family, cared for friends, and served her community in diverse ways. She sang, she taught folk dancing, she read, she gardened, she swam; she travelled as she was able and several times hosted gymnasts and choirs from Denmark.

Stinne Kvist received her last Holy Communion on Palm Sunday, her 94th birthday. “Absent from the body, and present with the Lord." [2 Corinthians 5:8].

A Memorial Service to celebrate Stinne’s long and abundant life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 14th, at The Danish Lutheran Church, 6010 Kincaid Street, Burnaby: Pastor Bodil Toftdahl officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made, in memory of Stinne, to Dania Home or the Danish Lutheran Church.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the dedicated caregivers at Churchill House, Lion’s Gate Hospital 4West, and North Shore Hospice. To everyone who knew Stinne and shared your love and kindness, we say, “Thank you.”