Obituary of Marthine (Tina) Jensine PAULSEN (nee Kirkegaard)

January 8, 1925 – Jutland, Denmark
April 10, 2021 – Calgary, Alberta

Born in a small village on the mainland of Denmark, the youngest of 23 brothers and sisters, Tina proved over 96 years that a life of work, discipline and order by no means rules out sheer joy, giggles and occasional naughtiness. 

Tina lost her parents as a teen, and as were the times, she stopped school and took up work as a shopkeeper in a general store. Some 70 years later, she revisited that store with her grandchildren.  

Tina’s husband Arne died 19 years ago, but what journeys they took. They immigrated to Canada, twice. The first move in the 1950’s saw business failure and a return to their vocation of baking in Denmark. At the age of 42, Tina developed a mysterious abdominal issue which, fortunately, went untreated because it portended the birth of her only child, Morten, in 1967. And that prompted another effort at life in Canada. Tina found work as a waitress while Arne baked and cooked. But with a knack for business, they founded Scarboro Day Care in an iconic house on the corner of 17th Avenue and 17th Street SW. That business expanded and secured their retirement.  

If lives have themes, hers was conscientiousness. From sunup to sundown, her activity was frenetic and with painstaking attention to detail.  Managing a business, keeping a home and cabin to meticulous standards, and ensuring frequent multi-course Danish dinners with a large cohort of friends were managed to near royal standards - while always giggling, poking loving fun and thinking every day was more beautiful than the last.  Wherever she lived, she was a source of joy. 
 
Tina leaves her son Morten, daughter-in-law Ivette (her favourite), grandchildren Christian and Rebecca. And, given 22 brothers and sisters, there is a standing army of relatives in Denmark whom she loved and for whom she was the surviving matriarch. Tina reunited with many of them about 15 years ago at a lavish homecoming in Jutland.  

Her family extends profound thanks to the angelic staff at the Manor Village at Huntington Hills as well as the Cambridge Manor. No donations or flowers are needed. Tina wouldn’t have wanted all that. Just look at a sunrise and join her in saying, “This is the most beautiful day ever.”

In living memory of Tina Paulsen, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE NW, CALGARY, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.