Terttu Sinikka Kaijansinkko LeinonenJuly 12, 1934-February 4, 2021Our beloved mother (Aiti) and grandmother (Mummi) passed away peacefully with her husband by her side to reunite with her family in Heaven. Terttu was warm, loving, and kind, with spunky determination and a quick wit, and she would often turn strangers into friends with her irresistible smile and charm. As a young girl in Finland, she graduated from the kotisisaropisto liitto, a trade school to become a professional nanny. She was also an outstanding athlete and fierce competitor, and she would continue to have a passion for sports throughout her life. Terttu was the epitome of the Finnish definition of perseverance and bravery they call Sisu, immigrating to Toronto, Canada, on an old propeller plane by herself at the age of 25 without knowing the English language. It was there that she met our father, Paavo, who had also previously immigrated from Finland. They met at a Finnish dance the very first week she arrived, and Paavo affectionately remembers trying to sweep her off her feet before someone else did! They went on to marry and have three children together and a life full of adventures, living mostly in California and Washington State. A talented seamstress and especially good cook and baker, Terttu was known in the Finnish-American community for her delicious pulla bread and traditional coffee table where so many memories were shared. She was the queen of hospitality and loved welcoming others into our home, whether it be entertaining large groups of family and friends, or the neighborhood children who gathered at the house after school in awe of the aromas of her freshly baked breads and pastries that came wafting from her kitchen. Aiti made it her priority to instill in us the importance of the Finnish culture, traditions, and language. She taught us the meaning of integrity and hard work. She was very generous and eager to help others and influenced us to do the same. She was only her happiest when she knew she was making her family happy. Terttu and Paavo eventually grew old together and became that cute elderly couple who still held hands, looked after each other, and said I love you to each other every day. In her final days she was still expressing her love to Paavo by telling her nurses that she had the most wonderful husband! Terttu leaves behind her husband, Paavo Leinonen, of 59 years; her children, Riitta (husband John) Ballantyne of Helena, Roy Leinonen of California, and Jenny Leinonen Johnson of California; and her five grandchildren, Wes, Jack, Hannele, and Lucas Ballantyne, and Theissen Hall. She will also be missed by countless friends and family in Finland, Washington, California, and Montana. Aiti was our comfort, our care, and our home. She will forever be in our hearts.