Stos, Taina (nee Seppala)

Sisu is a Finnish word defined as “stoic determination, tenacity of purpose, grit, bravery, resilience, hardiness and resoluteness in face of adversity”. It also defines Taina.

Taina was born in Sudbury on New Year’s Eve 1937 to Jack and Selina Seppala, both predeceased. When she started elementary school, she spoke no English but quickly learned and went on to win most academic awards in public school and at Sudbury Mining and Technical School. As president of the student’s council Taina invited AY Jackson to lunch and commissioned a painting to honour the retiring principal. The painting was stolen from the halls of Tech. It was at Tech that she met Don. They were married in 1957 and after putting Don through university, Taina agreed, in 1966, to move to Espanola “for just one year”.

In Espanola Taina shepherded their 4 children through school and then resumed the accounting she had dropped when she and Don married. She received her Certified General Accountant (CGA) designation in 1982, after which she began her own accounting practice where many of her clients became lifelong friends.

Taina was involved with the VON and long time Espanola Hospital Board member. She was a high school athlete and retained her interest in badminton in Espanola. Taina was a swimmer and an avid cross-country skier not only along the bush trails at camp but also in Banff, Lake Louise and Kananaskis. Taina sewed “a fine seam” and many of her quilts adorn her children and grandchildren’s beds. A baseball fan, Taina, Don and friends made over 40 trips to the major ballparks across Eastern North America. Originally an Expo’s fan, Taina shifted her allegiance to the Blue Jays who she armchair managed to the end.

Taina and Don travelled extensively and for the past 20 or so years wintered at the Gold Coast in Australia where she made many very good friends and where she sharpened her considerable bridge skills.

Taina was happiest at camp with her children and grandchildren hooting, hollering, and having good times while Taina was satisfying their insatiable need for “grandma’s cookies”.

Taina is survived by Don, her best friend and lover of 64 years, as well as her children, Susan (Neville) of Sedgefied, South Africa, Kathy of Maple Lake, Peter of Blind River, and Kirsti (Rocky) of St. Joe’s Island. She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren, Lara, Jennifer, Dana, Alexander, Ava, Sam, Selina, Finn, Tate, as well as her great grandchildren, River, Koda, Cheyenne, and Saileeana. Taina is predeceased by her sister Helen Boxma (Pete – predeceased).

The family would like to say a special thank you to Dr. Ainslie, NP Erin Neufeld, and the rest of the MAID team for their care and compassion. Thanks to them, Taina shook off her mortal coil in the company of her loving family and is at peace. At Taina’s request, there will be no visitation or service. Donations made directly to Toronto Western Hospital Movement Disorder Clinic would be greatly appreciated.