Alma Maria Pӓrssinen (Kuisma)

Alma Maria Pӓrssinen (Kuisma), passed away at Pioneer Ridge in Thunder Bay on January 20, 2021 – one day after her 107th birthday. Alma lived a good life, keeping her health even throughout her final years.

Alma was born in Sakkola, Finland on January 19, 1914. She served as a nurse with Lotta Svӓrd (Finnish voluntary auxiliary paramilitary organization) during the Second World War in Finland.

In the 1950s, Alma and her husband, Arvo, immigrated to Canada and ended up settling in Port Arthur. Together they made a living building houses on the north side of the city. Throughout her life, Alma also worked as a Nurse’s Aid at a hospital on Algoma Street, and as a maid in various homes. In the 1960s and early 1970s, Alma ran Samaria restaurant on Bay Street, where she prepared affordable, hearty meals for bush workers.

As a woman of strong faith, Alma found God some sixty years ago, and thereafter devoted her life to serving the Lord. Alma served as the Caretaker of Saalem Church, when it was located on Algoma Street, and she remained a proud member of Saalem Pentecostal Church for the rest of her life.

Alma had a talent for knitting, and for baking the Finnish staple, karjalanpiirakka, a skill she passed down to younger generations. Many homes have been blessed with knit table clothes and fresh piirakka, gifted by Alma.

Alma will be lovingly remembered by her nephew Kyӧsti Pohjolainen (Irmeli), great-nephews Jouni Pohjolainen (Tarja) and family, and Pertti Viljakainen (Joni) and family, great-niece Ulla Peirce (Larry) and family, and close friends Maila Viita and family, and Leila Liinamaa and family, and by many other friends here in Thunder Bay, and relatives in Finland, Sweden, and the United States.

Alma was predeceased by her husband Arvo Pӓrssinen, mother Helena Kuisma, father Pekka Kuisma and all her siblings.

A special thank you to Leila and Maila for their care and friendship to Alma, and to the staff of Pioneer Ridge for providing excellent care throughout the last six years of her life.

Cremation has taken place and a memorial service will be held on a later date.