Helvi Valja

Helvi Valja, age 84, passed away peacefully in the Tippett Home in Needham, Massachusetts on Sunday, August 28, 2016. Born in Johvi, Estonia on May 22, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Yuri and Jenny (Kask) Valja. At a young age, she with her family became displaced person due to the outbreak of World War II, they were moved into a DP Camp in Germany, where Helvi obtained her basic education. As Helvi reached her teenage years, she left occupied Germany in search of a job and a place to call home. She initially took a nanny position with a minister in Scotland before being recruited to work at the TB Hospital. While working in the hospital, she took various educational course to become a nurse.

In 1958, Helvi immigrated to the United States of America, settling with her mother in Quincy. She worked several jobs to support herself and within six months, she moved out on her own into the City of Boston. The last position she held was bookkeeper for Humphrey, Browning and MacDougal in Boston.

Helvi had a constant thirst for knowledge, reading many books and visiting museums any chance she got. She also knew how to take it easy, whether traveling to many parts of the world or taking a short bus trip to the casinos.
Devoted daughter of the late Yuri and Jenny (Kask) Valja.
Loving sister of the late Aare Valja and his surviving wife Helen Valja of Walpole.
Cherished aunt of Jennifer M. Valja of Walpole, Wendi L. Berglund and her husband Scott of Norton and Amy E. LaPusata and her husband David of Billerica and great aunt of Erik and Andrew Berglund and David and Sam LaPusata.
Also survived by many relatives in Estonia and Australia.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Helvi's Life Celebration on Wednesday, August 31, 2016 from 4-7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. A Funeral Service will be held in the United Church, 30 Common Street, Walpole on Thursday, September 1, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Mount Wollaston Cemetery in Quincy. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to: Free Estonian Word, 243 East 34th Street, New York, NY 10016.