Tina Van Breemen
October 3, 2025
October 3, 2025
October 3, 2025
Tina van Breemen (van den Berg) was born in Zwijndrecht, Netherlands on May 10, 1939 – the 10th of 12 children. Her family owned and operated a bakery, and this was a prosperous business until World War II disrupted everyone’s lives.
When Tina was 24, she made the courageous move to Canada where some of her siblings had already made a life. She worked as a care aid in a facility in Edmonton and, on one fateful day, was introduced to her Erik (by his mother and a matchmaking roommate).
Once married, Erik and Tina lived on their Alberta farms for some 20 years. Erik took care of his cows and worked as a carpenter, and they both took care of their children, Otto and Barbara.
In 1987, Erik and Tina made the move to Victoria, BC where she ran a daycare. Tina embraced many crafts and hobbies, becoming particularly skilled at knitting and quilting. She patiently provided instruction to anyone interested in learning how to knit or quilt and shared her beautiful creations with many. We lost count on the number of baby sweaters that left her house to be cherished by new parents.
Tina experienced great heartache when Barb, 24, died of complications related to her chronic illness. To counter his grief, her husband Erik decided to take up part-time farming in Alberta with their son, Otto. The couple traveled back and forth to Valleyview for some years and then decided the ferry with ‘too much’ and moved to Ladner to be closer to Otto (Camara) and their family. Tina continued to craft and spent her time being a loving Oma to her grandchildren Zia, Erik, and Claire. They introduced the children to Dutch staples like Stroop waffles and pannekoek. Erik and Tina had been married 57 years at her death.
Tina and Erik made many friends through their faith communities and by being good neighbors. In the last few years three very special Oma helpers – Carola, Michelle, and Natasha - made life at home better. Tina received excellent care in the hospice, and we are also grateful for the many visits, phone calls, cards and special treats from so many friends and family in those last four weeks. Tina died so peacefully, with Otto by her side, October 3, 2025.
You are invited to leave a personal message for the family.
Dear family,
It is nice to read about her live. I think that she was very kind to other people around her. Sometimes I think at the time we were at your place and that there was a fire. That was a bad experience but we were happy that everybody was oké after that.
I hope you shall remember your wife and mother with love.!
Lieve groet,
Bea
~ Bea van den Berg
Daar Erik, Otto and Fam.,
I feel very sad about your loss and always will remember my tante Tine as a kind and friendly sister of my father.
with love, Clementine
~ Clementine
Otto/Camara and Zia,Erik, Claire
With heavy hearts we send you and your dad our best wishes and say was always a treat to see you mom when we came to visit. Always have fond memories of her and your dad whether terrorizing the hallways of the church or hanging at the farm.
Vaya Con Dios
Keith/Vianny
~ Keith and Vianny
Dear Familily
In remember
We were visiting Tante Tine and oom Eric about 15 years ago.
We had a funny and nice evening together. We looked the quilting and we recognize that she is a sister from Tonnie and Gerda as well:)
Dear Family, we wish you all comfort
Esther, Jürg; Marc, Sonja, Melinda, Alexander