Remembering Atje Tuyten

Atje Tuyten (Zwep), born January 27, 1949, transitioned out of this life surrounded with the love of her family on Sunday March 29, 2026 in Orillia, ON after her courageous battle with Lewy Body Dementia. Through her journey of 77 years, she gifted this world and those that knew and loved her, with her kindness, love, humour and exceptional patience and understanding.

Atje is so deeply missed by her loving husband Charlie (Hendrik) Tuyten and children, Nicole Atje Tuyten (son-in-law Don Sangster) and Leah Annette Black (Tuyten) (son-in-law Darryll Black) and her four grandchildren, Ryley and Ronin Black and Kaia and Noah Sangster, who will forever be the lights of her life. There was nothing that brought Atje greater joy than being there for her grandkids. Whatever they were into, she was there for it, whether it was getting down on the floor to play mini sticks, or lending her hair to a creative hairstyle. Her unconditional love for her grandkids will always be remembered by a presence and tenderness that can never be matched.

Atje was born in Elburg, Holland and came to Canada with her late parents, Jacob and Aafke Zwep, when she was only one year old. The eldest of five beloved siblings, Harry Zwep, Annette Lewington (Zwep), George Zwep and Jerry Zwep, she spent much of her childhood becoming the strong and resilient person she was, growing up on the family farm near Brussels, ON. A joyful, caring, adventurous soul, Atje set out to carve her own path in Stratford, ON where she met her husband of 54 years, Charlie, and many adored friends. She later moved to the Orillia area to support and be close to the families of her two daughters, as well as spend more time with her deeply cherished grandkids. 

Atje was driven by her great love and care for family. She generously devoted so much of her time and energy to supporting her daughters. A sports enthusiast herself, she chauffeured them to countless sporting events and was an passionate cheerleader on the side lines. She taught us that family is everything - family reunions at the farm were a priority, no matter the weather. Atje always created time and space to celebrate with family, lend a hand and was always a safe shoulder to cry on.

Outside of her family life, Atje thrived in various roles, working primarily in accounting and administration for reputable local Stratford businesses which she was proud to be a part of. She was a well-respected, hard-working, trusted colleague and friend to so many over the years.  Kind and compassionate, and friendly to all, Atje was always a welcoming neighbour and an amazing friend.  She valued her trusted close circle of special friends with whom she loved spending time making wonderful life-long memories. No matter what was on her plate, she made time to connect with others, truly listen, and share a cup of cheer. 

Atje filled our homes with song - her joy-filled smile while playing her favourites on her record player, and eventually her new 5-disc CD changer, snapping along to her favourite tunes and gracing us with her enthusiastic singing – thank you for filling our lives with your beautiful music.

A beautiful Dutch, farm girl, Atje shared her love for nature and the outdoors with many friends and family. Boundless gardens created with her own two hands brought nature to every new family home. Camping trips to her cherished provincial parks and weekends at Rustic Acres as well as kayak adventures exploring her bucket list of waterways were some of Atje’s favourite times enjoying the beauty of the outdoors.

Atje is profoundly loved and missed by all her special friends and dear family. Free from the confines of the human body, Atje’s soothing soul will live on through the adventures we shared with her, the beauty we see in the resiliency of nature and the uplifting songs we remember her singing. Rest peacefully, go, stand up, stretch and smile; climb in your kayak and feel the warmth of sun on your face, dip your paddle in the warm clear water and be free. 

We encourage you to honour Atje’s legacy of love and caring for others and the world around us by being patient with others, pushing the boundaries of life and slowing down to stop and smell the tulips. Her daughters would love to keep her memory alive through your sharing of the stories and adventures you've had with their dear mother - special memories of Atje are encouraged and warmly welcomed in her memory book - link: Untold Stories & Memories of Atje Tuyten.

A visitation to honour Atje will be held in Stratford, ON, on the morning of Saturday May 30th, at W.G. Young Funeral Home. The family is warmly welcoming visitors at 10:00 am followed by a celebration of life service at 11:15am for all. A private family burial in Brussels, ON will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, Atje’s spirit of caring can be beautifully recognized by memorial contributions in her name to the Alzheimer’s Society or by planting a tree or some tulips in her honour.

Arrangements entrusted to Carson Funeral Home-L.Doolittle Chapel-Orillia and W.G. Young Funeral Home-Stratford.