Maimu Vilhelmine Teras — (née Hiiuväin) a long-time resident of Toronto, died Friday the 3rd of March at Scarborough General Hospital.

Born December 21st, 1927 on Saaremaa, Eesti. Maimu grew up on a farm, close to the sea and riding horses!

At the age of 16, the chaos of WW2 had her join most of her family, including her brother Endel, on the sailing ship, Luise, to escape to Sweden in October of 1944. Her mother, Helene, stayed behind to wait for her sons Olev and Erich. Sadly, Olev never returned, losing his young life to a battle in Tartu. My mother never saw her mother again. Many years passed before it was safe to write home and shortly after communication was reestablished, fate was cruel and her mother passed away.

In Sweden, Maimu married Johannes Teras. They moved to Canada, worked hard and set a great example for their three children. She lovingly sewed custom clothing and sang songs with her daughters. She also worked in factories, delicatessens, and finally as an employee of the T. Eaton Company, where she worked until she retired.

Maimu loved good food and carried on the cooking traditions learned at her mother’s elbow. Especially at Christmas when she prepared bread, tanguvorstid, sült and sauerkraut. Her pannkoogid (pancakes) and kotletid (Estonian meatballs) were renowned among all of her daughter’s friends.

Her other hobby was making her garden grow. Her canna lilies grew 8 feet tall and often attracted ruby-throated hummingbirds.

Maimu had opened her heart to the word of God at a young age. She believed in the example set by Jesus; to love one another, to treat others as one wished to be treated. Her great pleasure was to sing, joyfully in the company of her Christian community at the Toronto Eesti Baptisti church.

She always sought the good in people and was humbled by the struggle to live as a good Christian, especially when the “right” path was not clear. She felt great empathy for her friends and family when they struggled or stumbled and was always ready with support and forgiveness. She had a wonderful smile, which she shared often.

She is survived by 3 daughters, 3 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren.

She is sadly missed by:

Daughter Eveline Teras with Michael Lepinski, Grandchildren Jeff Lepinski (in Kelowna BC) and Zariina (née Lepinski) with James Roncone, and Great-Grandchildren Landon and Colton.

Daughter Grace Teras

Daughter Helja Teras with Michael Globe, and Granddaughter Kajsa Globe-Teras.