Rinia Marlene Wong: 1940 – 2021
Rinia Wong, age 81, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2021 at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital after a courageous and inspirational eight year battle with ovarian cancer, which she handled with great strength, dignity and grace.
She was born on November 22, 1940 in Paramaribo, Suriname to parents, the late Cecilia Van Dijk and Aloen Wong. She, along with her young family immigrated to Canada in 1966 where she has since resided.
She is the third of nine children, and was predeceased by her sisters Siene (Tony –deceased) and Henna (Flip), who also lost their battles with ovarian cancer. She will be dearly missed by her surviving siblings, Henri (Carla), Lygia, Gerold (Herman), Etienne, Hugo (Alice) and Diana (Ad) and her many nieces, nephews and their children and grandchildren.
Rinia loved to dance, enjoyed travel, participating in sports such as tennis and pickle ball, card nights, doing puzzles, board games and social events with friends (especially her dearest friend Judy) at the Fairways. She had a keen sense of humour and was always ready to share a good laugh. Her grandchildren and great grandchildren were the joys of her life.
She is survived by her children Monique (David) , Lies (Mike), Andy (Cathy), grandchildren Andrew, Danielle, Lisa (McKeyra), Simon (Mhairi), Daryl (Jordan) and Max (Grace), step grandson Ryan, and great granddaughters Naya and Bria.
4 year old Naya said it best, "You won't understand this, but Oma Rinia lives inside all of us." as she placed her hand on her heart. Rinia was truly one of a kind and will be sorely missed.
The family would like to thank all the health care professionals that provided such compassionate care to her over the years, including her primary physicians, Princess Margaret Hospital, Credit Valley Hospital, The British Columbia Cancer Agency, Esquimalt Westshore Health Unit Home Care Nurses and the Saanich Peninsula Hospital Palliative Care Unit.
Rinia requested that there be no formal ceremony. Her wish was that the people who touched her life celebrate her in their own special way.