Born on April 20, 1922, in Estonia she grew up in Kaavi community in the southern tip of the island Saaremaa (Sõrve). She was the youngest of five children and remained at home the longest, helping her mother with farm related chores. As a young woman she attended the kodumajanduskool (a home economics finishing school) in Kuuresaare, the capital of Saaremaa.
She is predeceased by her husband of 70 years Valdur Nõmme. They were married in August 23, 1942, in the midst of World War II. In 1943 Valdur and his brothers escaped to Sweden across the Baltic Sea and in late December returned for Aliise and other family and friends. Their first child, Mare (Mary) was born in January 1944. They lived for seven years in Gotland, Sweden before immigrating to Vancouver, Canada in 1951.
Starting a new life in a new and foreign country was not easy, but they soon developed a network of close friendships within the Estonian expat community. Aliise worked as a seamstress and was an active member of the Vancouver Estonian United Baptist Church. Their second child, Kati (Kathy) was born in 1956. Aliise loved her flower garden and spent many hours in the garden in their home in East Vancouver, at their Point Roberts summer house, and eventually on the balcony of their condo in Burnaby. She would ride her bike throughout Pt. Roberts and continued to swim at South Beach well into her 70’s. Over the years they made several trips back to Sweden and Estonia. Once retired they spent many months with Estonian friends in the warmer climates of Hawaii and Mexico.
The memory of Aliise as a mother, grandmother and great grandmother will be cherished by her family: daughter Mary Russell, son-in law Jack Russell, grandson Jason Russell, Jason’s wife Pamela, their children Nellie and Stuart, granddaughter Julia Severinson, Julia’s husband Peter Severinson, daughter Kathy Nomme son-in-law Wayne Pledger, grandson Sean Pledger, Sean’s wife Jaclyn Lord-Purcell, grandson Eric Pledger Eric’s partner Sara Tan. She will also be remembered fondly by sister-in-law Leida Rei, nephew John Rei and his family in Smithers, nephew David Rei in Langley and his family, and niece Leili Nappo and her son Avo in Estonia.
Due to Covid-19, a grave-side funeral will be for family only. Donations in Aliise’s memory can be sent to the Heart and Stoke foundation.
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