Tina "Tenny" Dyck

Eulogy for Tina (Tenny) Dyck

Tina “Tenny” Dyck — a beloved mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother sister, aunt and friend.

Tina was born on April 9, 1933, to Jacob and Helena Buhler in Holmfield, Manitoba. She was one of nine children, growing up in a big, bustling family where love, laughter, and hard work were part of daily life. Her siblings — brothers Jake, George and Harry, sisters Helen, Sue, Mary, and Rita, along with her adopted sister Anne — each shared a unique bond with her that lasted through the years.

From her earliest days, Tina learned the values that would guide her life: the strength of family, the importance of helping others, and the quiet courage to face life’s challenges with grace.

As a young child, Tenny excelled in school, showing a natural curiosity and determination to learn. Life, however, was not without its challenges — she faced periods of illness that kept her from doing all the things she wanted to. Yet, even in those times, her spirit remained strong, and she carried a quiet resilience that would stay with her throughout her life.

Her first job took her away from home, working in a bakery. It was there that she learned many helpful skills — not only in baking, but in managing responsibilities, working hard, and taking pride in a job well done. Those lessons would serve her throughout her life, in her home, and in the many ways she cared for others.

Tina also found joy in music and fellowship. She especially enjoyed singing in the church choir, where her voice joined with others in songs of praise, filling her heart and the hearts of those around her.

In time, Tina met the love of her life, David Dyck. The two were married on October 17, 1953, beginning a partnership built on love, faith, and shared dreams. Together, they would build a home and a family, facing life’s challenges side by side.

In their early years together, Tina and David built a warm and welcoming home, one that became the heart of their family life. They were blessed with children Doreen, Gary, Sheryl, Janet and Patricia. Tina’s skills from her early years — whether baking from scratch, managing a busy household, or finding joy in simple things — all found their place in her role as a wife and mother.

Tina and David moved around quite a bit over the years, and in true resourceful fashion, David built most of the homes they lived in.

Tina’s love for sewing and creating was a vibrant thread running through her life. With skillful hands and a creative heart, she sewed for many people over the years — crafting everything from T-shirts and dresses to pants and even underwear. Each piece she made carried her care, attention to detail, and joy in creating something useful and beautiful. For a few years, she even sewed all the uniforms for the Abbotsford Christian Assembly School, which is now Cornerstone School, a project that showcased both her dedication and her exceptional sewing talent.

In her later years, Tina returned to the workforce for the first time since her younger days, taking a job at Auld Phillips in the fabric department — a perfect fit for her talents and interests. She later worked in the fabric department at Woolco/Walmart, where she loved helping customers choose fabrics, sharing ideas, and talking about sewing. These roles brought her a sense of purpose and connection, allowing her to blend her passion with her work.

Over the years, their family grew and expanded as their children married and welcomed new sons-in-law into the fold and an especially wonderful time for Tina and David was when grandchildren began to arrive, Parker, Shaun, Sherri, Lee, Dana, Tyler, Vanessa, Brett, Kaitlin, Joshua and Caleb. They embraced this new chapter with open hearts, pouring love, laughter, and a sense of fun into their grandchildren’s lives.

In their retirement years, Tina and David enjoyed a slower pace of life, but they didn’t sit still for long. They spent time traveling and took countless camping trips, creating new memories together. Whether it was a short getaway or a longer adventure, they cherished the freedom to explore and the joy of simply being together.

Another blessing was the arrival of great-grandchildren — Myla, Alexander, Elias, Riley, Markus, Ryan, Emma, Avery, Ethan, Madelyn, and Levi — each bringing their own joy and smiles to Tina’s life.

When David passed away, it was the greatest struggle of Tina’s life. He had been the love of her life, and she missed him terribly. The quiet of the house was hard to bear, and she often felt alone without him by her side. Yet she carried on with strength, leaning on her faith and her family to help her through.

After David’s passing, Tina continued to sew, she lovingly made many dresses for “Helping Hands,” an organization that sends clothing to children overseas. Through her sewing, she extended her care and kindness far beyond her own family, touching little lives around the world.

When Tina was 89, she began experiencing memory challenges and confusion, signaling the onset of dementia. After careful consideration, the decision was made to move her to a retirement home. She then moved into the Menno Home at the Pavilion, a place where she was supported with kindness. In her 91st year, her confusion and memory rapidly worsened. On June 25, 2025, for reasons unknown, Tina decided to head out on her own. Was she going for a walk? Was she headed somewhere specific? These questions remain unanswered. Tina was about one kilometer from her home when, we believe, she tripped and suffered a severe fall. She was found by passersby and taken to the hospital in serious condition. She had multiple lacerations and a head injury, but even in a coma-like state, she fought on with incredible strength.

Tina lived for another 30 days and passed away peacefully on July 25, 2025, at the MSA Manor. Though she was there only two short days, the care and love she received were remarkable — so caring, so compassionate. It was a comfort to know she was surrounded by kindness in her final days.

Tina “Tenny “will be remembered for her love of family, her faith, her creativity, and her quiet strength.

Though we miss her deeply, we celebrate the blessing of having knowing she is with Jesus now resting in His everlasting peace. She will be in our hearts forever.

Tina is lovingly survived by her children: Doreen, Gary, Sheryl (Joe), Janet, and Pat (Vic). She was a proud grandmother to Parker, Shaun, Sherri (Rob), Lee, Dana, Tyler (Lisa), Vanessa (Rob), Brett, Joshua, Kaitlin (Anthony) and Caleb. Her great-grandchildren — Myla, Alexander, Elias, Riley, Markus, Ryan, Emma, Avery, Ethan, Madelyn, and Levi.

She is also survived by her brother Harry, sister Rita, and sister-in-law Linda.

Tina was predeceased by her husband David, brothers Jake and George, sisters Helen, Sue, Mary, and her adopted sister Anne.