Kirstine Madsen

Kirstine (Tinne) Madsen

Remembered with love.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Tinne Madsen in Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital in Tatamagouche on September 15, 2026 at the age of 96.

Tinne was born on April 13, 1930 in Lorup, Denmark. She grew up in hard times during the depression and under occupation during WWII. She was the third of five children born to Marie and Marius Rasmussen.

She immigrated to Canada with her family in 1952, arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax on December 1. Navigating her way with only a little English she found work in Moncton, Halifax and New Glasgow as a live-in housekeeper and child-minder for the “well-to-do”. She would often be asked to return if she found another family paying just a little bit more. As her English improved, she found work at the School for the Deaf in Halifax, waitressing at a café in Truro and at Stanfield’s Textile Mill. She kept enough money to live on and sent the remainder home to support the family farm in Malagash.

She married Knud Madsen in 1960, a Danish immigrant she met in Malagash. They bought a 100-acre farm on the Brook Road in Welsford (River John) with barns and house in disrepair. They worked tirelessly to build a successful dairy farm and raised three daughters, Agnes, Thea and Solveig.

After a family trip to Denmark in 1978, Mom knew she no longer felt Danish. She became a proud Canadian citizen in 1979. In retirement Mom and Dad drove across Canada in a VW Rabbit, tenting the whole way. Other road trips included Newfoundland, PEI, NB and Quebec. She did not find a place more special than Nova Scotia.

Tinne found joy in knitting, quilting, playing Scrabble, reading, listening to music, bicycling, raising chickens, and going for walks in the fields and woods. She loved the outdoors and nature, and was an avid gardener. Vegetables and fruit were grown and harvested for use throughout the year. She baked breads and sweets. She helped in the barns and fields, and clothed and fed us all. Little did we know how hard she worked. In later years, she loved Gracie and Becky, two very special border collies. She made a home for all of us.

Tinne was predeceased by her husband Knud and siblings, Jenny, Bodil, Lise and Christian. She is lovingly remembered by her daughters Agnes Madsen, Thea Roma (Andy), Solveig Madsen (Brad Gaetz), family and friends.

A funeral service will be held in Salem United Church, River John on Saturday, October 3, 2026 at 2:00 pm with Reverend Connie McNamara officiating. You are invited to enjoy food and fellowship at the church following the service. Family interment will take place in Mountain Road Cemetery, following the service and reception.

A donation in memory may be given to Palliative Care, Lillian Fraser Memorial Hospital, Tatamagouche or the Nova Scotia Nature Trust. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Coulter's Funeral Home in Tatamagouche.