Eila was born March 26, 1934 in Montreal, Canada, to parents Matti and Hilja Lindell of Helsinki, Finland. She grew up in Canada and at a young age found a passion for synchronized swimming. With daily practice, she achieved her dream of competing and winning the II Pan American Games in Mexico City, Mexico in 1955 and retiring as a three-time Canadian world champion.
It was in Montreal, Canada where she also met her former husband, Mr. Louis Tornyai of Budapest, Hungary. They married and moved to South Florida, where they opened Tiny Tots Day Nursery and Kindergarten in Hialeah, Florida.
“Miss Eila” loved children and taught preschool and kindergarten to hundreds of children. She had a zest for life and never sat still - driving children to swimming lessons, field trips, dance classes, sports games, and any event one can imagine. Every day was an adventure.
Her passion for life also continued in to her latter years, where she performed as a “Golden Oldies” dancer for the Miami Heat.
She is survived by three daughters and a son: Ilona DeSilva (and granddaughter Brianna) of Jacksonville, FL., Anita Tornyai of Alexandria, VA., Susan Ambrose (and husband Gary Ambrose, granddaughters Ashlin and Kaitlyn and grandsons Campbell and Liam) of Edmond, OK., and Louis Tornyai of Tallahassee, FL.
The family wishes to thank all the staff at INTEGRIS Hospice House in Oklahoma City, OK. who took care of her during her final weeks.
She will be laid to rest at 1030 a.m. March 18 at Caballero Rivero Southern Memorial Park in North Miami, Florida. Condolences may be left in Eila’s online guestbook at https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/north-miami-fl/eila-tornyai-7791978
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