Obituary of Vaike Koel

Vaike Koel (Tamm) was born in Saaremaa, Estonia on June 24, 1925 and passed away in Toronto, Ontario on April 28, 2022.  She leaves behind her son, Jaan Koel, grand daughter Tiiu Koel, Tiiu’s mother Olga Koel, grand sons Brandon and Kyle Koel, their mother Janice Koel, nephews Frank and Juri Tamm, and great grand sons Leo, Rex, and Arno Dowd. 

At age 17, Vaike left Estonia with her brother Bernard Tamm during WW2 on a fishing boat that took them to Sweden, where Vaike lived and worked for seven years as a seamstress.  She then moved to Toronto, where she met and married her husband Nicolai Koel and had their two sons Jaan (1952) and Alex (1956).  She continued working in the garment trade until she retired.  

Vaike was loved by her many friends and family members.  She was known for being both kind and generous, and will be greatly missed.  The family would like to thank Ehatare Retirement and Nursing Home, where she received excellent care for the last years of her life, and Humphrey Miles Funeral Home for their kind and professional service.  A memorial service for Vaike will be held at their premises at 1403 Bayview Avenue, East York, on Saturday, May 14 at 11:00.  Donations can be made to the Alzheimer Society of Toronto.