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Labyrinth for an Estonian – Dedication in Memory of Hilja Rannala


Opening Celebration of the Niagara on the Lake Public library Labyrinth and dedication in memory of Hilja Rannala took place during a beautiful sunny fall day on the 23rd of September, 2017. This Labyrinth is open to the public for many years to come. Estonian Ants Rannala shared his thoughts about this special day with others by stating: “I am here to honour the memory of my mother Hilja Rannala, who was a Masterful Gardener. My mother was an extraordinary person. It didn’t matter what she touched she excelled to the fullest. Flowers and plants were her passion. My mother had a natural touch and a God given talent for colour and an eye for making flower arrangements. This is something that you’re born with, which my mother told me once many years ago. She loved roses! She spent many hours grafting the various rose buds to the other rose stems in the 1960’s that are still growing to this day.
Ants Rannala

Some of my mother’s accomplishments were, in 1980, she submitted one of her Loom Wall Hangings to the C.N.E. and won 1st prize in her category for the province of Ontario. Another accomplishment was, she took three (3) years of Spanish in night school and finished the program with Honours. Her other accomplishments are too numerous to mention.

During my mother’s youth, after finishing her high school in Estonia with many marks of excellence, she was considering a career on becoming a medical doctor, but had to leave the country because of the invasion of communism to her birth country of Estonia.

Upon entering Canada and after a few moves, my parents purchased a rundown farm in 1956 on Lakeshore Road, Niagara on the Lake. After twenty plus (20+) years of farming they turned the farm into a success story.

My mother is now sitting on a cloud, looking down with her dear husband Robi, and daughter Rita, who was an excellent peach packer, giving a thumbs up sign. Well Done!”

With gratitude we share this amazing story and hope all Estonians have a chance to visit this beautiful Labyrinth and contemplate back to their roots while touring the scenic town of Niagara on the Lake in Ontario.

Labürint