KARMO, Irene Hans - 92, Truro, formerly of Lower Onslow, passed away peacefully at home, with her son and all five of her long-time caregivers at her side, before dawn Tuesday, June 14, 2011. Born September 4, 1918, Irene was a daughter of the late Hans Juhan Ranne (Hans Juhan Murri before a mid-1930s family
renaming) and Ekaterina (Kuusik) Ranne. Hans's forefathers tilled Viljandi County, Estonia, from at least the 1730s, possibly already in earlier centuries. They gained freehold of their Paistu-area farm in the post-1850 Estonian cultural revival. Hans served the 1918-1940 Estonia government as land surveyor in the border town of Petseri. It was there that toddler Irene learned Russian alongside her native Estonian. Later came German and English. Later still, as Estonia fell into foreign occupation, came Latin and a degree in Finno-Ugric philology from Tartu University. Irene escaped by sea from Parnu in September 1944 with Ekaterina, proceeding first to the north of Germany, then to Denmark, Sweden, and Canada. It was in Denmark that she met her husband Endel Karmo (Provincial Apiarist, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, 1950-1977). It was on a hectare in Lower Onslow that she brought to astounding fruition an ideal of her mature life, gardening. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Dr. Marja-Liis Magi, of Tartu, Estonia, from Endel's first marriage; a niece, Maret (Ranne) Bain, of Oakville, Ontario; a son, Dr. Toomas Karmo, of Richmond Hill, Ontario; and a nephew, Jaan Ranne, of Arnprior, Ontario. She was predeceased by her parents, Hans and Ekaterina; husband, Endel, and by her brother, Uno Ranne. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mattatall-Varner Funeral Home, 55 Young Street, Truro, where Irene's family will receive friends from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, June 17, 2011, and where the funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, June 18, 2011, with Rev. Gerry Kerr officiating. A reception will follow. Interment will be later in the summer, in Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery, Thornhill, Ontario. It is requested that there be family flowers only. Donations in Irene's memory are welcomed to Trinity United Church Women (Onslow) and the Estonian National Council of Canada (Toronto). Private messages of condolence are welcomed at www.mattatallvarnerfh.com