With sadness we announce that a dear member of our congregation, Valentine (Tiina) Taemets, has gone to be with her Lord. She passed peacefully on the evening of Tuesday the 10th of October, at the age of 92.
Funeral Details:
Friday 20th October
3pm
Nazareth Lutheran Church
12 Hawthorne Street, Woolloongabba.
(There will be refreshments afterwards in our hall.)
The following beautiful eulogy can be found on the Estonians in Australia website and we include it here in honour of Tiina, who had many friends in our congregation:
In Memoriam – Tiina Taemets
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of our beloved Tiina Taemets on 10 October. Just a few days earlier, on 5 October, Tiina had her 92nd birthday.
Tiina moved from Sydney to Brisbane in 1957, at 26 years old. It did not take long for Tiina to become a key figure in the local Brisbane Estonian community. She was dedicated to promoting Estonian culture and led the local Estonian fold dance group for many years.
In 1976 Tiina was elected the President of Brisbane Estonian Society, a position she held with exceptional devotion, energy, and love for 26 years. In Tiina’s own words: “The Estonian Society should be cherished in the heart so that people want to return over and over again. It should feel like a second home!”
Tiina was an active participant in the Committee of Occupied Nations (Ikestatud Rahvuste Komitee). She fought tirelessly for the liberation of Estonia and other countries occupied by the Soviet Union from the yoke of communism.
In recognition of her outstanding contributions, President Lennart Meri awarded Tiina with the Order of the White Star (Valgetähe teenetemärk) in February 2001.
Tiina, thank you for everything you gave us. Rest in peace!”
Brisbane Estonian Society
