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Tamara Norheim-Lehela 90

Jan 13, 2023 Eesti Elu Nr. 2 2023

Tamara Norheim-Lehela marked her 90th birthday on December 28th. The celebration took place two days later and attending the happy occasion were her six children, their spouses, 16 grandchildren and their partners and five great-grandchildren (those from afar attended “virtually”, as they reside in Estonia and Sweden), and of course many of her supportive friends, who have been good company for her over many years.

Tamara Tiismann was born in Tallinn in 1932. Two years later the name was changed to Tiisre, which sounded more Estonian. Her father Valentin was also born in Tallinn. His first wife died young, leaving the widowed Valentin with two young sons. In 1931, he married Therese Pihlberg, the daughter of a captain in the merchant marines whose roots were in Reigi in Hiiumaa, stretching back to Sweden. As Therese was Valentin’s sister Ludmilla’s friend, she was already known to the Tiismann family. Tamara remembers being taught how to read at the age of four by her older half-brothers, whose goal it was that she learn to read the local newspapers!

Over the years, Valentin held various jobs, including as a customs officer, and Therese worke...

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