April 10, 1934 - April 17, 2020
At the age of 86, Ariena Mackie went to meet her Lord and Saviour, Jesus, surrounded by those who loved her on April 17, 2020.
She was born in Grande Prairie, Alberta on April 10, 1934 to John and Gerri van Hemert. At the age of 2 her family packed up and moved to the community of Harrop/Sunshine Bay where she attended school up to grade 3 and then moved into Nelson where she completed the rest of her schooling. At the age of 12 she accompanied her mother to Holland, where for 6 months, she met and visited with many of her Dutch relatives. It was in Nelson she met her loving husband Alex and was married October 28, 1950, at which time she moved to Trail while they built their house in Warfield, where they made their home for 47 years. In their later years they moved to Waneta Village and in 2017 she moved to Salmo Valley Estates where each week she enjoyed meeting her friends for entertainment nights, potluck dinners, games and movie nights.
Ariena enjoyed looking after her husband and children, creating a loving household. She was a self taught seamstress who used her abilities to make clothing for her children, grandchildren and many others. Graduation dresses, wedding gowns and other formal attire showed off her fashionable creativity. Ariena was a very caring person who enjoyed serving and working with people. For 2 years, she assisted with household duties for a family of 2 deaf children after which she spent over 9 years as a hospice homemaker looking after terminally ill patients.
Her faith and love for Jesus started at a young age and became the foundation of her life. She attended the Pentecostal Church in Trail and later on in Salmo. Ariena was involved in teaching Sunday School and was the President and Regional Representative of the Women's Ministries of PAOC. She enjoyed meeting people and talking to them about Jesus and what he meant to her personally.
She is predeceased by her parents, her sister Jean Ryans and her loving husband Alex Mackie of 57 years.
She is survived by her daughters Linda Dunn (Dave) of 100 Mile House, Sandra Hanson (Lorne) of Salmo, and sons, Ken Mackie (Elaine) of Chilliwack and Ernie Mackie (Susan) of Fruitvale, sister Bertha Coates (Clinton) of Creston, 12 grandchildren, 27 great grandchildren and 1 great great grandchild.
She will be greatly missed by her family and many friends.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence by visiting the family's register at www.myalternatives.ca
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services