Nina Marie Finn (née Popochenko)

On October 6, 2025, Nina Marie Finn (née Popochenko) passed away peacefully, surrounded by family, at St. Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon.

Nina—better known as Nana—was born on March 20, 1937, to parents Vera and Eli Popochenko of Biggar, SK. She grew up on the family farm as the eldest of three sisters and attended school in town. After finishing school, she moved to Calgary for a new adventure and spent time working various jobs. Later, she returned to Biggar, where she met Wilfred Finn (known to all as Wink or Papa). Papa enlisted with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and the two moved to CFB Trenton, marrying in a small ceremony on March 9, 1962.

In 1967, they welcomed their first daughter, Lisa, followed by their second daughter, Tricia, in 1969. Papa's career with the RCAF took them to air force bases across Canada, Europe, and the Middle East, where he underwent training and enjoyed a memorable vacation in Germany.

Nana was organized, efficient, and adaptable, taking on various roles as they moved around, including working as a telephone operator, a welfare care worker for Child and Youth Services in Manitoba, and as a library clerk at SIAST before retiring in 2002.

She loved working in her garden, watching curling, and spending time with her family. Her baking was renowned among friends and family, with her Hello Dollies and banana chocolate chip muffins being especially loved.

Nana was predeceased by her parents, Vera and Eli Popochenko, and her husband, Wilfred (Wink) Finn.

She will be lovingly remembered by her friends and family. Nana is survived by her sisters, Marge Shepherdson (Ivan Tymchak) and Annette Nash (Leverne Nash), and their children; her daughters and son-in-law, Lisa Hawes, Trish Reeve, and Jamie Reeve; her grandchildren and their partners, Ryan Reeve and Dylan Elke, Curran Reeve, Drew Hawes and Donita McCollister, Chris Hawes, and Megan Christensen-George and Ben George; as well as her great-granddaughter, Isla George.

The family would like to thank the staff at Villa Royale and St. Paul’s Hospital for their compassionate care.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Cancer Society or the SPCA.

Martens Warman Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with Mrs. Nina Finn's care and arrangements.