Koidula Tõõtsov

Koidula Lilleleht (Lilienblatt) Tõõtsov passed away peacefully at home on July 8, 2023. She was born in Vana-Vändra, Pärnu County, Estonia to Lt Col Paul August Lilleleht (Lilienblatt) and Julie Jensen Lilleleht (Lilienblatt). Koidula was a survivor in every sense of the word. She was forced to leave her homeland due to conflict during World War II and eventually arrived at a displaced persons camp in the American zone in Geislingen, Germany, where she met her loving husband, Martin. They were given promises of employment and a place to live by Seabrook Farms in southern NJ and emigrated to the United States in 1949 when it was clear that the return to Estonia would be impossible. Koidula and Martin were hard workers and both quickly rose to management positions at Seabrook Farms. They then relocated to Lakewood, NJ in 1965 and bought the home in which Koidula lived for almost 60 years. She was very involved in Estonian cultural activities and raised her children and grandchildren to be as well. She left behind a legacy for her family to carry on that embodies a love and appreciation of where one comes from and a drive to always keep family close.

Koidula was predeceased by her husband, Martin and her son, Martin Paul ("Mati").

She is survived by her daughter Katrin and her husband Edward of Whiting, NJ, son Peeter and his wife Aino-Liis of Randolph, NJ, daughter-in-law Pamela, grandchildren Matthew and his wife Randi, Alexandra and her fiancé Eric, Leili, Linnea, and Kristjan, and her great-grandson, Austin.

A memorial service will take place on Saturday, July 22nd at 11am at the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lakewood, NJ, with a repast to follow.

In Koidula's memory, donations can be made to the Estonian Evangelical Lutheran Church, 607 E 7th St, Lakewood, NJ 08701.