E, Valentina (nee KÄRNER) - Passed away peacefully on December 17, 2021 at Ehatare Retirement Home in her 99th year.
Beloved mother of Anne (Enno) and Peter (Alexandra) and grandmother of Erik (Amy), Kristina, Robyn, Tomas and Serena. Predeceased by her husband Raimond in 1988.
Valentina (Valja) was born on July 10, 1923 in Pärnu, Estonia to her parents Joan and Juuli Kärner.
Shortly after they moved to Saaremaa (Estonia's biggest island) where she grew up and went to school. In 1944, her father put her on a sailboat to Sweden to escape the oncoming Red Army ... go west my daughter ... where life will be safer and more secure! Thus started her second phase of life.
She became a pharmacy assistant near Stockholm and soon met her husband to be, Raimond Vilde, who had also escaped from Estonia with his mother.
They married in Sweden 1950 and soon after immigrated to Canada in 1951.
Third phase, a few years later they became residents of 147 Castlefield Ave. in Toronto.
Daughter Anne and son Peter were born. They were a beautiful family. Then came the grandchildren ... she looked after all of them.
Every day she would walk up to Allenby school with them in the morning, pick them up at lunch and so on. Every year the hill to Avenue Road got steeper, but she persisted. She had so many friends. Every February, she hosted a ladies Valentine luncheon at her home (her birthday was in July when everybody was at their cottages).
There were upwards of twenty ladies at one time ... she had so many friends ... but unfortunately most are now gone.
After more than 60 years on Castlefield Ave., she finally had to move to Ehatare. We are so grateful to the staff, Dr. Ali, the nurses, assistants, caregivers, activities leaders and groups, office and kitchen staff, and so many volunteers.
A memorial gathering will be held next year.
In her memory, the family would appreciate donations to Estonian Scouts and Guides in Canada (c/o 52 Glengrove Ave. W., Toronto M4R 1N7) or to a charity of your choic.
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