Helve (Sadul) Silma

August 30, 1929 – Hiiumaa, Estonia
October 25, 2024 – Toronto, Canada

Our dear mother and grandmother Helve Silma passed away peacefully after celebrating her 95th birthday two months ago.

Helve always considered herself a very ordinary person, but in many ways she lived quite a remarkable life. Born on a small island in Estonia, she escaped from wartime Estonia at the age of 14 in a small boat in the darkness of night. She bravely left everything behind, including her family and home.

After a few happy years in Sweden, she and her family again had to leave for fear of persecution, and took a stormy and uncomfortable journey to Canada across the Atlantic Ocean on a retrofitted minesweeper. They arrived in Canada as refugees, and made Toronto their home as they learned English and found jobs. These experiences shaped her life.

She married our dad Edmund in 1957, and they welcomed three children: Susan, Linda and Robert. After our dad passed, she remained an avid protector and supporter of Robert and they shared a wonderful life together. The family often enjoyed the company of relatives and many friends in the large Estonian community, both in Toronto and at the family cottage on Lake Simcoe.

Before and after having young children, she proudly worked as an executive assistant at Simpson Sears, and then as a teacher’s aide. She loved working and being able to have a positive impact on others, and made many good friends along the way.

She especially relished the role of grandmother to Alexander, Daniel, Jacob and Emma. She was a trusted confidante and the backbone of the baking team that made fantastic gingerbread cookies, as well as many other treats.

Helve was modest, humble, calm and compassionate. She loved her flowers and family pets. She treasured her family. She was grounded in her faith, and it supported her throughout her life. She has gone to join our dad, but she will be forever missed.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Community Living Toronto by phone or online: www.cltoronto.ca/donate