January 12, 1935 - September 5, 2018
After a lengthy battle with Alzheimer's disease Zina has lost the battle. She passed away peacefully with her loving and devoted husband Eda by her side.
Zina was a long-time resident of Whitehorse, leaving the rat race of Toronto behind in 1978 for a peaceful but busy life in the North. Zina was a talented artist and her work can be seen around the city including the murals at the Whitehorse RCMP Detachment and the Transportation Museum. The lovely and colorful stained glass windows at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church were designed and made by Zina.
They can be best appreciated from the interior of the church when the sun is shining through
them. She was involved in many art exhibitions and art shows in Toronto and Whitehorse as well as many areas of the U.S.
During her early days in the Yukon, Zina worked at the Yukon Territorial Government building as the gardener and grounds keeper. She planted many native plants around the grounds and maintained them through the summers She was actively involved in the community running art classes for children and adults, as well as Berry and Mushroom courses in season.
She volunteered at the Whitehorse Humane Society and raised funds through dog jogs and dog wash days which she helped organize for many years. Zina's love of animals and nature has been passed on as a living legacy to her children and grandchildren. She loved her life in the North mushing dogs, Ski-jouring, gardening and harvesting nature's bounty from fish to berries
to mushrooms.
She will be missed by her loving husband, Esa, her sister Olga, her 3 children, Iris, Jouni and Henry and her stepdaughters Tanya and Rhonda, as well as 4 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren and her extended family and friends.
Many thanks go to the amazing staff at copper ridge place where Zina spent the last 8 years of her life, for the years of caring for Zina and especially the tender compassionate care of both Zina and Esa during the final days of her life.
Funeral Services will be held at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church on September 15th at 2:00 pm.
In Lieu of flowers please make in memoriam donations to Yukon Humane Society.
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