Nadine (Din) Denise Monique Ruttelynck

Din Ruttelynck
September 19, 1959 – June 21, 2021
Her brave and lively spirit will live on in all the people she touched.

Nadine Denise Monique Ruttelynck passed away peacefully on June 21, 2021 at her home in Middlepoint. She was surrounded, physically and spiritually, by her immediate family.
She is outlived by her spouse, Koen Drugmand; mother, Anna Vlaeymans; sons, Robbe and Ben Drugmand and their wives, Corey Anne and Anita Drugmand; granddaughter, Evelyn Drugmand; sister, Linda; mother-in-law, Magda Michielsen; siblings in-law, Pat, Rika, Dirk, Goedele and Yves; and much loved nieces and nephews.

Din was born on September 19, 1959 in Wilrijk, Belgium to Richard Ruttelynck(+) and Anna Vlaeymans. In 2000, she immigrated with her family from Belgium to the beautiful Sunshine Coast and settled initially in Sandy Hook, Sechelt. Din fully immersed herself and her family in the Sunshine Coast experience and, as a result, she became passionate about her new home. As an avid community advocate, she worked with the Sandy Hook Community Association, Pender Harbour Planning Committee, Seniors Activity Centre and supported numerous community endeavours by visiting local artisans and farmers markets and listening to local musicians.

Din loved spending quality time with her family and friends, both in Canada and Belgium. Her honesty, loyalty, love and care enabled her to create many strong and loving bonds. Din lived life to the fullest and was very much present in the moment; she did not shy away from trying new life experiences. Din loved sailing, outrigger paddling, kayaking, swimming, exploring nature through hiking, dancing with her spouse, playing pickleball, practising yoga, reading, taking up pottery and painting and taking care of her flowers, plants and vegetable gardens.
Din loved being on the water and in the forests. She believed in the healing power of trees, admired the balance of nature and came to understand our dependence on nature for our holistic well-being. The preservation of nature and wildlife was always at the forefront of Din’s mind and informed how she lived her life on a daily basis.

Nature also inspired Din’s artistic expression. She was a scholar who mastered the art of silversmithing. By working with precious metals and object from nature such as shells, driftwood, seeds, beach glass and stones, Din created mobiles, light fixtures and breathtaking pieces of jewellery. The stunning landscapes of the Sunshine Coast became the subject of her paintings and stained glass art. Din had a real affinity for First Nations culture and worked with members of the Shishalh and Skwxwu7mesh Nations on basket weaving and totem pole carving projects. Din touched many people through her artistic creations which wove aspects of story and elements of nature so beautifully together.

Professionally, Din was a European Master in Architecture who worked for many years as a designer and also at Mobius Architecture in Davis Bay. Examples of her stylistic designs can be found on and in homes and buildings around the Sunshine Coast. Din strongly believed architectural design can improve the quality of life. A lifelong dream of hers was realized in 2017 when she and her spouse designed, built and began living in their “passive house” in Middlepoint, Pender Harbour.

A heartfelt thank you to all the wonderful health-care workers, visitors, friends and family who supported and inspired Din throughout her life journey. Din’s Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, Din would have preferred donations to a local nature or wildlife preservation organization. Please consider making a contribution to her favourite - the Wilderness Committee (www.wildernesscommittee.org).

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Nadine (Din) Denise Monique Ruttelynck, please visit our floral store.