It is with great sadness and heavy hearts that we share the news of the death of Janina Reinsalu (nee Tacchella). Janina died peacefully under the skilled and considerate care of staff at Ehatare Nursing Home in Toronto, Ontario, on the afternoon of Oct. 13, 2023 - just one day shy of what would have been her 102nd birthday. She is survived by her son Valdur Paul (Desiree), granddaughter Valia Reinsalu (Matt), grandson Karl Reinsalu and great grandchildren Valayria and Maxima Reinsalu-Da Sylva.

Janina (Vanaema, Nina, tädi Nina) was known for her warm smile, contagious laughter, never-ending generosity, love of singing, dancing and limitless energy. It is challenging to consolidate and summarize the life of a woman who was an example of being a powerhouse of energy, determination and resilience.

Janina had many talents, interests and did many occupations, including working at Commerce Court for CIBC. Early in the development of the Toronto-Estonian community Janina participated in many activities and events, along with supporting Estonian artists by purchasing many different artworks. She loved to sing and was a resourceful environmentalist, at one with nature - whether in her backyard or up north in a small rural Estonian community that formed in Udora, Ontario.

She possessed an unwavering focus and priority on her family - both immediate and extended - including generously ensuring Vaino’s family members in Estonia had items that they needed during occupation times as the country was behind the iron curtain. And it is this commitment to family and generosity that has had a lasting impact on her legacy through her grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces and nephews in North America and in Europe.

The last of her Tacchella family’s generation - Janina’s love and memory continue to live on with lasting impact on all who met her including her sisters’ children and their families: Valeska, Thomas, Julia (Müller - children of sister Eugenia), Gerry, Roxanna (Feher - children of sister Jadviga), Vivien, Miriam, Askold (Vasni - children of her sister Olivia), Agnes, Veronica, Olivia (Olkowski - children of Melita) and close family friends Rita, (Sabrina) and Kristina (daughters of lifelong friend Ksenia Komendant).

Valdur and Janina’s immediate family are grateful for the care and attention of Ehatare’s nursing staff, the many personal support workers (PSWs), activity and all staff at Ehatare - who touched Janina’s life once she became a fourth floor resident. We recognize the constant care and commitment to her health and well-being - particularly during the onset and ongoing challenging conditions of daily life with Covid-19.

Cremation and a private interment for Janina will be occurring at York Cemetery.

Those wishing to can make donations in Janina Reinsalu’s name to Ehatare Retirement and Nursing Home https://www.ehatare.com/donate.


Born in Tartu, Estonia, Janina faced many challenges throughout her life before settling in Toronto. Her young family was split up while Valdur was just a year old. Janina had to flee her home without her husband Vaino Reinsalu, who, at the time, was a missing prisoner of war - as Estonia was being invaded during the second World War. The second eldest of six of the eight siblings who left Estonia, along with her parents Oleg and Anna Tacchella, she remained at a displaced persons camp for seven years, in Eutin, Germany, before she, Valdur and Vaino were reunited. Their journey to Toronto continued as Janina and Vaino traveled with their young son Valdur to England, courtesy of a Red Cross program to a farm located in Eye, England - located in the north of the county of Suffolk. Finally in 1952, the young family then traveled to North America - settling in Toronto, Ontario, where they shared residences with family and Estonian friends in downtown Toronto - addresses such as 153 King St. East and 95 Baldwin Avenue before settling in the first home they purchased in Scarborough. They moved down the road sometime later, and that was where she remained for most of her years before becoming a resident of Ehatare.