The family of the late Maija Mannisto (nee Metsaranta) are heartbroken to announce her unexpected passing on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 88 years of age in the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre.
Maija was born in Kurikka, Finland on May 29, 1937, to proud parents Yrjo and Lilja Metsaranta. She was the 9th of 11 children of which she was the last to leave this world.
Maija met Arvo in Finland, and came to Canada in 1961 where they married in Port Arthur, Ontario. Here she worked as a waitress at the Hoito Restaurant during the 1960’s, later becoming a house and office cleaner. She also owned and operated the Superior Motel in Thunder Bay from mid 1986 to 1995 which welcomed guests from across Canada and the world. In addition to this, she was also an active member of the Lutheran Church on the corner of Secord and Dufferin Streets which later became Hilldale Lutheran Church. Within the church community she sang in the choir and took part in the local church-run TV program, Tiimalasi.
Maija will be remembered for her love of Finnish music, baking, saunas at the camp, birds, and the daytime drama Guiding Light.
Left to mourn Maija’s passing are sons Harry, Andy (Hyosil); granddaughter, Freya; dog, Finko; and various nieces and nephews in Thunder Bay, British Columbia, Finland, New Zealand, and Grand Cayman.
Maija was predeceased by her parents Yrjo(father) and Lilja (mother; her siblings; as well as her husband Arvo.
A service to remember and celebrate Maija will be held on Friday, January 30, 2026, at 11:00 am in Hilldale Lutheran Church with Pastor Jari Lahtinen officiating. Visitation will be one hour prior to service time in the church, with final interment in Riverside Cemetery.
Arrangements have been entrusted to EVEREST FUNERAL CHAPEL, 299 Waverley Street at Algoma.
Please sign the Online Condolences at everestofthunderbay.com
Even though Maija’s favourite season was autumn, we would like to share some lyrics from one of the favourite Finnish songs about waiting for spring:
Birds! Fly North please,
For my heart is frozen solid over her!
