Linia Esta Elmend

ELMEND, Linia Esta “vanaema”, 87 of Seminole, FL passed away peacefully on March 25, 2017. Linia was born on June 11, 1929 in Tallinn, Estonia, daughter of the late Karl and Linda Kivi. She was the loving wife of the late Theo Elmend and mother to Anneliis Kuusik of Seminole, Florida and grandmother to Kristina Kuusik of Boston, Massachusetts. During WWII Linia left Estonia at age 15 with her parents and spent the war years in displaced persons camps in Germany and Denmark. She met her future husband Theo in Denmark and together with her parents moved to Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1949. They married in 1950 and in 1955, their daughter Anneliis was born. The family settled in New Jersey, USA in 1965 and Linia lived there until 2003 when her loving husband passed away. She moved to Connecticut and then with her daughter to Florida in 2014. Linia worked with her husband in the silver jewelry business in Argentina and as a bookkeeper for James Talcott Inc. in the United States. She participated in all Estonian Society functions, Estonian Girl Scouts, choirs and churches, in every country she lived and embraced all the different cultures. She was very adept at languages and learned German, Danish, Spanish, English as well as her native Estonian. Their home was always a busy and welcoming place for friends, relatives and travelers. She could always be counted on bringing a salad, sandwiches or apple cake to any social event. Linia made holidays extra special for everyone. She cherished her family and friends, and especially her granddaughter Kristina and her lovable Morkie Tessie. She loved being “vanaema” (grandma) to all of Kristina’s friends. Linia was a perfectionist, loved life and had a great sense of humor – her one-liners are legendary. Her family and many friends will miss her terribly! Funeral services for Linia will be held at her gravesite in Hackensack Cemetery, Hackensack, NJ on April 15, 2017 at 11:00 am. She will be laid to rest next to her husband and parents, and best friends. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to the Connecticut Estonian School, c/o Treasurer Mariann Durocher 70 Terrell Farm Place Cheshire, CT 06410.