On Wednesday, October 26th, in the arms of her loving husband, Õnne our precious mother, passed peacefully at North York General Hospital, with family by her side. At 91, she was the oldest living member of her family from Estonia. Õnne will be deeply missed by her husband Guido, daughters Elle (Jonathan), Ivi (Heikki), Heidi (Ron) and Linda, her grandchildren Erika (Jay), Talvi (Yvon), Tiiu (Dan), Mati (Kaitlyn), Tarvo (Kristin), Kiiri (Mirza),and Karl, great-grandchildren Aili, Hendrix, Maia, Navy, Heiki, Suvi,and Lumi, along with their families and her many friends.
Singing was one of Õnne’s great passions and brought her immeasurable joy. Her beautiful voice lifted the spirits of those around her every day of her life. She started her music career at the Royal Adelaide Conservatory of Music and continued her studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto, practicing classical singing and performance under the guidance of Dr. Ernesto Vinci, and maestro Peter Paul Lūdig, who was also her pianist. Õnne performed many solo concerts both in Canada and abroad, sang in various operettas, and many local and international events. She was a well-known singer in the Estonian community in Toronto.
Born in Tallinn, Estonia, the youngest of three daughters, Õnne and her family escaped from their homeland to Poland in 1942 when she was just 11 years old. They made their way to Fūrth, Germany in 1945, and stayed in Nūrmberg DP camp for 2 years. In 1948, they settled in Australia. As an immigrant, she repaid her passage to Australia by studying and working at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. During her time there as a nurse, she cared for an Estonian woman who decided Õnne was the perfect match for her son, Guido. Her instincts were right. Guido became her soulmate and the love of her life. They celebrated 68 wedding anniversaries together.
Õnne lived in Adelaide for 22 years where she founded the Estonian Young Mothers Club. She was a busy and dedicated member of the Estonian community, happily taking on Girl Guide Leadership, membership in a folk dancing group and mixed choir, along with singing and acting on stage in various plays.
Wife, mother, grandmother, yoga enthusiast, interior designer, traveler and classical singer with social worker qualifications, Õnne lived in Toronto for 52 years. Not only did she travel far and wide with her husband, but she took her daughters and grandchildren on memorable and exciting trips to Europe and Estonia.
Sincere thanks to the nurses and Palliative Care doctors on the 8th floor at North York General Hospital for their compassionate care, and keeping our mum comfortable during her last 2 weeks of life. Special thanks to Pastor Adebola for his sincere and loving blessings which were gratefully received by mum and all of us.
Our family also wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Danny at LHIN, and the PSWs from Circle of Care who lovingly looked after mum during Covid and right up until her admittance to hospital.
Donations in Õnne’s name can be made to The Estonian Supplementary Schools in Toronto (Toronto Eesti Seltsi Täienduskool), or North York General Hospital.