Elza Kiesners
1923-2024

Sadly, we announce the passing of Elza Kiesners on October 24th, 2024. She died peacefully at Chester Village nursing home, just shy of her 101st birthday. She will be missed by her daughter Diana Kiesners and son-in-law Michael Kramer, as well as her friends and relatives in the Sebris, Jankovskis, Gailits and Kiesners families.

Elza was born on December 12th, 1923, in Vietalva, Latvia. At first she lived with her parents and sister at Ruseni, their family farm near Plavinas. Determined to receive an education, she left home at an early age to attend school in Riga, where she met her future husband Rudolfs Kiesners. They were eventually married in the Dom Cathedral shortly before they and Rudolf’s mother Minna escaped to Austria during the Second World War.

In Austria they lived in a refugee camp in Spittal an der Drau and Elza entered medical school in Graz. Before she could complete her studies they were offered the chance to emigrate to Canada.

The family travelled to Toronto where Rudolfs and Elza held a succession of jobs, at one point owning a farm near Peterborough. Elza tried to resume her studies at the University of Toronto but was denied a place at the medical school; she worked instead as a nurse’s aide at Runnymede Hospital and later found a job working for an artificial flower company on Spadina Avenue. In later years she found employment at another giftware company. She was proud of her work ethic and did not retire until well into her eighties.
In her fifties Elza returned to school as a mature student, at long last fulfilling her dream of continuing her education. She graduated from the University of Toronto with a Bachelors degree in Anthropology.

Her husband Rudolfs died in 1990 and Elza lived alone for the rest of her life, at first in the condo they had shared, and finally in Chester Village long term care home. She enjoyed good health until her early nineties when she began to experience some health problems and developed dementia. She faced the gradual loss of her sight and hearing with bravery and resilience. Increasing dementia, exacerbated by a stroke, ultimately took her independence and necessitated her move to a nursing home. Last December she celebrated her 100th birthday and received a congratulatory letter from King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Elza was very social and loved company. Her friends and relatives found her light-hearted and charming. She was remembered for her warmth, directness and ability to make others feel special. Her curiosity about the world survived her toughest challenges, and though bedridden she would ask visitors to “tell me some news.” Even in her darkest days, she loved to laugh.

We are grateful to Diane Lewis, the PSWs and medical staff at Chester Village for their loving and attentive care.

Should you wish to make a donation in her name, please consider The Alzheimer’s Society of Toronto.

A memorial gathering to celebrate Elza's life is planned for the spring. Please contact the family for more details in the new year.