It is with great sadness that the family of Maija-Leena Hann (nee Mikkonen) announces her passing on April 28th after an eleven year battle with metastasize breast cancer. The blonde Finnish beauty is survived by her loving husband Peter, her daughters; Cathryn Holler (Martin), Susan Nerbas (Delmar) Nancy Evans (Ken) and son Peter; by her handsome and talented grandsons Michael and Patrick Holler and by sisters; Edna, Varpu, Ansa, Ulla and brother Hannu.
She was predeceased by her mother and father Aili and Henrik Mikkonen and by her brother Henry.
Maija grew up in the city of Heinola, immigrating to Canada in 1952. She was in possession of the first Immigration Visa issued by the recently opened Canadian Embassy in Helsinki. Maija became a proud Canadian citizen in 1957.
Maija was employed by Canadian Pacific Airlines in Whitehorse and Vancouver, marrying Peter in 1956, the beginning of a lifetime of travel and adventure that included living in Castlegar, Vancouver, Edmonton, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Chicago, Cincinnati, Dallas, Minneapolis, The Hague, The Netherlands and Sydney, Australia.
It was in Sydney that Maija took up pottery and for the next twenty five years pottery became her passion. She was creative and innovative and became very proficient in understanding the chemical reaction of various glazes. Maija and Peter retired to Parksville in 1993 and Maija became a founding member of the Arrowsmith Potters Guild at the Parksville Railway Station.
The family wishes to thank all those individuals who have helped Maija during her struggle with cancer, especially Dr. Julia Hickey-Somerville, Dr. Michael Dunne of the BC Cancer Agency at NRGH, the home care nurses of Oceanside’s VIHA group and the nurses and staff at Eagle Park Lodge in Qualicum Beach. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the BC Cancer Foundation: bccancerfoundation.com.
A celebration of Maija’s life will take place on Monday, May 9th at 1:00 PM.
Yates Funeral Service & Crematorium in charge of arrangements