Van Alphen, Dina

Van ALPHEN, Dina - On Monday, May 17, 2010 Mrs. Dina Wilhelmina Van Alphen of Cold Lake, Alberta passed away peacefully at the Cold Lake Health Centre at the age of 87. Dina is lovingly survived by her husband of 58 years, Carl Van Alphen of Cold Lake; son, Tony (Helene) Van Alphen of Richmond Hill, Ont.; daughter, Corry (Glenn) Zeebregts of Cold Lake; four grandchildren, Alexandra, Christopher, Carlene, Evan; one sister, Mien van Baal of The Netherlands and numerous nieces and nephews in The Netherlands. Dina was predeceased by one brother and four sisters. Dina was born in Etten Leur, North Brabant in the Netherlands and came to Canada in 1952 with her new husband. The couple moved to Sudbury in 1953 and eventually bought a farm in Hanmer which they operated for almost 50 years before retiring to Alberta to live near their daughter. Dina worked tirelessly on the farm while raising her two children. A skillful gardener, Dina had a passion for flowers, particularly African violets which won annual awards at horticultural events in Sudbury. A funeral service was held on Saturday, May 22, 2010 at St. Dominic Roman Catholic Church in Cold Lake, with Father Hamilcar Blanco officiating. Memorial tributes in memory of Dina can be sent to the Canadian Diabetes Association, 1400 -522 University Ave. Toronto, Ont. M5G 2R5.