Lagle (Vester) Koiva

Lagle Koiva (Vester) passed away on May 31, 2016 with her devoted family by her side after a heroic twenty-year battle with multiple sclerosis. She was born on April 29, 1935 in Tartu, Estonia daughter of Karl and Regina Vester. She was predeceased by her sisters, Lehte Vester and Auli Vester. Lagle, along with her parents and siblings, escaped the Soviet invasion of Estonia in 1944 and lived at the Hanau Displaced Persons camp in Germany for five years until they had the opportunity to?come and live in?the United States. Lagle was a 1953 Windham High School graduate and a 1956 graduate of the Hartford Hospital School of Nursing. She was a dedicated and respected nurse. In the latter years of her career she worked as an RN in several long term skilled nursing?facilities in Eastern Connecticut. Her Estonian heritage was a very important part of her life. She was an active member and officer of the Connecticut Estonian Society, Connecticut Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Estonian Girl Scouts. She is survived by her daughter, Laine Kingo, of Columbia and her two grandchildren, Hendrik and Angelika, who were her absolute pride and joy. In addition, she is survived by her sister, Valve Uussalu of Tallinn, Estonia and brother Ullar Vester of Des Moines, Iowa as well as several nieces, nephews,?and cousins?throughout the United States, Canada,?and Estonia. The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at Harrington Court in Colchester for the outstanding care they provided Lagle for the many years she lived there. They were her second family. There are no calling hours. A?memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 11 at 10:00 a.m. at the Andover Congregational Church followed by burial at the Center Cemetery in Columbia. In lieu of flowers, the family will collect donations for the Association of Estonian Multiple Sclerosis Societies. Please contact Laine Kingo at Laine.Kingo@outlook.com .