­NEW GLASGOW – Vaike Kaleva died in the Aberdeen Hospital, New Glasgow, Nova Scotia on November 29, 2014 just two days short of her 94th birthday.
Vaike Kont was born on December 1, 1920 on Andemaa farm, Mädara Village in Estonia. She was the daughter of Juuli (Lõhmus) and Hans Kont.
Vaike was educated in Estonia, receiving an agricultural diploma from Rapla Mõis in 1941. She worked as an agricultural advisor until she had to flee Estonia in September 1944. From September 1944 to November 1947 she lived in a Displaced Persons Camp in Schwarzenbeck, Germany where she met her future husband, Kaarel Kaleva. In November 1947 she moved to England where she worked in a cotton factory. Kaarel and Vaike married in 1948 and continued to live in England until 1951 when they immigrated to Nova Scotia. As Gordon MacKay was their sponsor, they settled in Lorne, buying their own farm in 1952 and continued to farm until retirement. Vaike lived in her own home in Lorne until 2011 when she moved to High Crest Place in New Glasgow. Here she spent three happy years knitting and cross-stitching.
Vaike is survived by her children: Inna (David) Harrison, Lorne, Nova Scotia; Karen (Trevor) English of Upper Hutt, New Zealand; and Karl (Debbie) Kaleva, Lorne, Nova Scotia; grandchildren: Robert (Tiffany) Harrison, San Diego, U.S.A.; Griffin (Rachel) Kaleva; Dieppe, New Brunswick and Sarah (Mat) Brennan, Stellarton, Nova Scotia; great-granddaughter, Kaija Brennan, Stellarton, Nova Scotia, and a nephew, Ants (Aino) Kont, Piistaoja, Estonia and their children and grandchildren, all in Estonia.
Vaike was the last surviving adult from the group of Estonians who settled in Pictou County.
Vaike was predeceased by her parents, her husband Kaarel Kaleva in 1999, and her brothers, Anton Kont in 1944 in Estonia, Erich Kont in 1999 in Estonia and Jaan Kont in 2003 in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
Funeral to be held in St. Columbia United Church, Hopewell, Nova Scotia on Friday, December 5, 2014 at 2 p.m. with Rev. Bonnie Fraser officiating assisted by Rev. Peter Armstrong. The family will receive friends from 1 p.m. Friday until the time of the service at 2 p.m. Burial will be in the Lorne Cemetery. A reception will follow in the St. Columba Church Hall.
Family flowers only. Donations in her memory may be made to St. Columba United Church or the charity of your choice.
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