Obituary of Lala Heine-Koehn

Lala Heine-Koehn November 14, 1926 - December 12, 2017 It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Lala Heine-Koehn at the age of 91 years. Mom passed away peacefully with her loving family and friends by her side, following a prolonged illness. She is at peace now with her mother Marina, her father Rudolph and her two brothers, Cezar and Henry. Born in Zuromin, Poland, mom attended the Handel Conservatory in Munich. Lala was a musician, an artist and a poet, with many of her books and paintings in libraries, government buildings and the homes of her family and friends. She loved her children, her family and her friends and travelling the world. She lived life to the fullest, often sharing stories of where she had been, who gave her the jewelry she was wearing and who she had read to or met along the way. In her later years, mom had many health challenges, but against all odds and with many a Polish prayer, she survived to continue her life’s journey with tremendous strength and courage. She taught us the importance of honesty, how to share our heritage and traditions, and she sprinkled all she taught us with a world of love and make believe. You could see every head turn when we were with her. Mom dressed with extravagance from her head to her toes, and she looked for color and beauty in the world around her. She especially loved her garden in Victoria where she not only watered, but nurtured each plant and flower. She often said her home was a part of who she was and every room held mom’s personality and special touch. Mom will be remembered for the way she saw life with the magical eyes of a poet and artist, and the rainbow of color she painted the world with even in her final years, the enchanted home in Victoria which saw many, many traditions and teas with family and friends and especially the “pig out” sleepovers with her loving grandchildren. Lala is survived by her five children, Andrea, Rick (Penny), Greg, Tim (Carol), and Andrew (Gina) as well as her loving grandchildren, Gord (Rebecca), Bonnie, Jolene (Jess), Kasia (Lonnie), Michelle, Heidi (Brad) Cheraley, Anjay and Marie and her great-grandchildren Dylan (Bonnie), Evan and Alex (Kasia and Lonnie) Karissa and Claire (Michelle) and Grayson and Maxon (Heidi and Brad). We would like to thank the staff of Sunnyside Care home for their compassionate care over the last few years and especially Wilma, her personal caregiver, who attended to mom’s needs and patiently and lovingly stood by our family.