Ludmila Klavins

Ludmila (Kalnins) Klavins, 99, of Manchester, wife of the late Arvids Klavins, passed away peacefully with family at her side on Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012 at Crestfield Nursing Home in Manchester. Born on May 1, 1913 a native of Riga, Latvia, Ludmila graduated from the "University of Latvia" and became a life long member of the Latvian sorority "Varaviksne". World War II and oncoming Soviet occupation changed life in Latvia. Following 6 years in refugee camps in Germany, Ludmila with husband Arvids and daughter Ara (9) settled in Boston in 1950. Ludmila was a member of the Latvian Lutheran "Trimda" Church in Boston, sang in its choir and was involved with church activities. Ludmila worked at the Joslin Diabetes Research Center, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School. After enjoying some years of retirement in Boston, in 1983 Ludmila and Arvids moved to Manchester to be closer to their daughter and her family. Ludmila joined the Latvian Ev.-Luth. Church of Willimantic and found pleasure singing in the Latvian choir "Rota". Surviving family includes daughter Ara Bramanis and son-in-law Leons Bramanis, granddaughter Margita Lavallee and great grandchildren Erik (9), Anna (7) and their father Russell Lavallee all of Manchester, CT. A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, January 18, 2013 with a visitation beginning at 1:30 PM and the service at 2:00 PM at the Latvian Ev.- Luth. Church, 76 Windham Road, Willimantic, CT. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions will be forwarded to the Latvian Church Camp in New Hampshire "Piesaule", checks should be made to the "Latvian Ev.- Luth. Church of Willimantic". The family extends their thanks to the staff of Crestfield Nursing Home for the wonderful care given Ludmila. For an online memorial guestbook, please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com .