Lilija Erika Leja

Lilija Erika Leja, 96 years, died peacefully during the early morning hours of January 16, 2014 while in residence at the Northwood Centre, Halifax. Born in Riga, Latvia, she was forced to leave her beloved country in 1944 when Soviet troops invaded Latvia. Her parents were Janis and Zelda Vitols (neé Rudzitis). While in Germany, she married Ernest Albert Leja and had two children, Ilga and Gunar. In 1950, she and her family emigrated to Corner Brook, Newfoundland where she lived until 1980. Widowed in 1982, she spent several years in Florida, until she came to live with her daughter and family in Halifax, where she remained until her death. A vibrant, generous, dynamic spirit, she embraced every aspect of life and lived it to the fullest with unfailing optimism and energy. Known to us as Omi, she leaves to mourn her children, Ilga Leja of Halifax and Gunar Leja of St. John’s. Newfoundland, daughter-in-law Sandra, grandchildren, Maija Martin (Tobey Black), Marcus Leja (Dawn), Nicholas Leja (Jasmin Hofer), Hannah Epstein, Noah Epstein, and great-grandson, Kasen Leja. In Latvia, she leaves to mourn her stepson Visvaldis Leja, nephew Igors Chablis and cousin Liga Cirulis and their families. Donations may be made to the Canadian Institute for the Blind and the QE II Hospital Foundation. Funeral will be held 2 pm Thursday, January 23, 2014 at tCruikshank's Halifax Funeral Home, 2666 Windsor Street, Halifax. Reception to follow. To place an online condolence please visit: www.cruikshankhalifaxfuneralhome.com