My aunt Aili, my mother's youngest sister, passed away last week, peacefully, at home in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. She was 96 years young.

She'd moved to Wisconsin after marrying Will Lamboy in Espanola in 1947. Over all those years, we enjoyed numerous visits with her and her family. Starting in the 1950s, we often drove to Milwaukee, and she and her family usually made annual trips to Sudbury.

Aili was born in Sudbury in 1922, the youngest of three. This is a photo of the Kovanen family, circa 1926.

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Aili is the youngest one, front centre. My mother Helmi stands at the left, and Lil on the right.

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In this photo, taken at the family home on Tedman Avenue in Sudbury, are Aili, Lil, and Helmi (my mother).

img186Aili and me (Carl), circa 1945

In this photo Aili is seen holding me, circa 1945. 

P-644Helmi and Taisto Hanninen; Lilja and Harold Ritchie; Aili and Will Lamboy This photo shows the three sisters with their spouses, taken at Long Lake, circa 1965.

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Here Aili is pictured during her 95th birthday party in August 2017.

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This photo was taken this past August, after Aili's 96th birthday get-together. Pictured with Aili are her daughter Susan and her husband John, and grand-daughter Katie. Aili lived with Susan since her husband Will passed away a number of years ago.

We will all miss her cheerful personality. Veda and I always enjoyed taking her shopping for clothes whenever we visited. I will miss hearing old family stories. Who else is left to recount these events?

Aili is survived by her daughters Susan (husband John) and Lori (husband Keith), Grandchildren Jennifer, Katie, Courtney and Ryan, and two great grand-children.

A memorial celebration will be held in Pewaukee on October 13.

RIP