Tamara Kubja

Tamara Kubja, 91 of Storrs, formerly of Syracuse, N.Y., beloved wife of Hugo Kubja, passed away September 26, 2012. She was born on March 24, 1921 in Moisakula, Estonia, daughter of Marta and Rein Raidmae. She lost her mother at an early age. After graduating from Parnu High School, she married Lt. Hugo Kubja, a recent graduate of the Estonian Military Academy. Together they evaded and precariously survived the horrors of the Soviet occupation and the ensuing Nazi rule. When the Russians were about to reoccupy Estonia, they fled. Hopping from island to island with a one year old daughter, they finally ended up in Germany where they were exposed to the closing battles of World War II. The next four years were spent in a Displaced Persons Camp in Geislingen, where she studied and worked in an arts and craft studio. In 1949, she emigrated to the United States. Initially, she lived and worked in Rhode Island, then Quincy, Massachusetts and finally settled in Syracuse, N.Y. where she worked in the bridal department of Flahs and the Addis Company. She was a member of the Syracuse Estonian Society and the Estonian Lutheran Church. In 1980 she retired and moved to the Adirondacks. When her husband, Hugo, died in 1997 she moved to Storrs, where she has been living for the past 15 years, with winters in Deerfield Beach, FL. She is survived by three daughters: Eve and son in law J. Martinson, Heli Kubja in New York City, Kiku and son in law M. Martinson; six grandchildren Torm, Heli, Karru, Kia, Eiki and Miia; eight great grandchildren Kean, Brogan, Kelker, Kiili, Rutger, Sofia, Torm, Bryon, a sister and numerous relatives in Estonia. There will be no services. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date in Estonia when her ashes will be interred next to her husband. The Potter Funeral Home, Willimantic assisted with arrangements. Please visit www.potterfuneralhome.com for online memorial guest book.