Tiina Stewart (Nee Veltmann)

Tiina Stewart (nee Veltmann)

It is with the deepest of sorrows and the most gut-wrenching of pains that our families announce that on Monday January 25th, 2021, Tiina Stewart (nee Veltmann) passed away suddenly after a short yet courageous fight due complications from cancer at the age of 32.

Tiina was the epitome of every characteristic that made someone good. Except she was better than good, because she was the absolute best of the best. Genuine kindness and unconditional love poured out of every fiber of her being. Her beautiful and never-ending laugh could make the most crotchety of people smile. And the way she sneezed! God – if her laughing didn’t work, the little PINGS as she sneezed 5, 6, 7 times in a row would have you howling with laughter. And then she would start laughing, and then all of a sudden the vicinity was filled with the most beautiful sound of pure happiness.

This devastating loss is felt all throughout Canada and the world because while she was the middle child of the Veltmann kids, she was unofficially adopted and claimed as their own almost instantly by so many individuals and families. Whether it be in elementary school over sharing meatballs, in high school after finding the perfect group of girls to hang out with, while helping out families in Tremblant, or just travelling the world, everyone knew that their lives would be better if they retained just a tiny ounce of the goodness that was Tiina.

Tiina will be forever remembered by her amazing husband Greg and their beautiful baby daughter Annika. Greg, who loved Tiina with everything he had and was just perfect for her. And Annika, who has her mom’s mischievous glint and her affectionate personality. Tiina’s parents Tonis and Ulle (Visnap) Veltmann, and her brothers and sisters, Liis (James), Peeter (Stephanie), Linda (Nick), and Carl Martin are absolutely devastated by this loss. Greg’s parents Bob and Janet, and his brother Chad (Kristen) and sister Nina (Rich) are heartbroken. Her Emme-emme, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and families from far and wide are grief-stricken, but will do everything in their power to ensure that Tiina and Greg’s sweet daughter will know every bit of who her mother was. But they’ll wait to tell the stories of debauchery and questionable fun until Annika is a lot older, so maybe when she’s 30? But Annika will know to the depths of her soul how much her mom loved her.

Her nieces and nephews will always be told about their amazing aunt Tiina, but even on beautiful days, it won’t be the same sunshine because aunt Tiina is no longer here. Owen, Cameron, and Emily (Liis & James), Henri (Linda & Nick), Olive & Maisie (Chad & Kristen), and Alexandria & Mackenzie (Nina & Rich) will have to sneak their own treats, make jokes at inappropriate times, and find some other willing adult to get them all the stuff their parents said no to.

We are so grateful for all the doctors, nurses, and support staff at the Bridgepoint Family Health Team, Michael Garron Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, Mount Sinai, and Toronto General for giving us all the days, hours, minutes, and seconds with Tiina these last couple of months. These moments will get us through the darkest of days, and your valorous efforts to make sure Annika had her mom for as long as possible will forever be remembered. But we want more. We want more moments. We want our Tiina.

At this moment, we don’t have information about memorial services, but every message of condolence as well as the massive outpouring of support is making this devastating time just a bit more bearable.

When it’s again safe to do so, and the winter is fading, go sit on a edge of a pier, watch the sunset disappear, and drink a beer.

Tiina – We’ll love you forever. Even when we can’t.

Offer Condolence for the family of Tiina Stewart (nee Veltmann)