Inta Perro passed into the afterlife peacefully on the evening of May 23 at Stevenson Memorial Hospital. Predeceased by her husband Oskars, daughter Sandra and her brother Talis, she will be greatly missed by her son Arvils, son in law Joseph, grandchildren Alexander, Antonia (Paul), Arianna (Fouad), Aldus (Laura) and her delightful great-grandson Edgar.
A private ceremony will be held at the family gravesite at a future date where her and her husband’s ashes will be interred.
A brief review of her life was entrusted to her son despite her being aware of his irreverence and sometimes questionable humour. It unfolds as follows:
My Mother was born almost exactly a century ago in the small European country of Latvia. Europe at the time was uneasily balancing itself between what were to become the two greatest conflicts in world history. Her early childhood was a happy one but before she reached adulthood, Latvia had already been overtaken by hostile powers three times. The winds of war finally swept her and her family up and blew them Westward, barely ahead of a rampaging Red Army. She recalled at one point seeing Berlin in flames as the endless refugee streams passed by the ruins.
Their flight eventually came to and end in the Northern German city of Lubeck which was then occupied by the British Second Army. Things slowly settled down and in due time she was hired on by the British Army of the Rhine (BAOR) as a translator. She had a strong command of three languages. Ironically English was not one of them. Through her new job and the access it gave her to special stores, she was able to help feed her family. It was a chaotic time when getting food to eat was a major accomplishment. To obtain a bottle of liquor was a total victory. Though the conditions were harsh, she mentioned many times later that these were some of the best times of her life.
Her family eventually relocated to permanent living quarters in Mannheim where her parents were to see their days out. At about this time her father, a world wise cavalry officer, noticed that his daughter was becoming all too comfortable with life. As fate would have it his sister, also a refugee had ended up in far away Canada, specifically Toronto where a vibrant Latvian emigre was coming into existence. I never did learn how much say my mother had in the matter but in early 1952 she boarded a ship in Bremerhaven Germany and set sail for Halifax.
It didn’t take long for her to enter into the Toronto Latvian community and begin to make new friends. But a charming rogue of the day noticed that too and snatched her up before the competition would become too fierce. In February 1953 they said their vows. The busybodies of the day were laying strong odds on the union not lasting out a year but in 2003 they celebrated having been together for fifty years.
She settled down to lead the life of a mother and housewife for the next decade. But her energy was not to be denied. When the youngest of her two children, an adorable and exceptionally well behaved little boy finally started school she was free to leave the house and enter into the working world. She was hired on by the Royal Bank of Canada at the Yonge and Grenville branch where a disproportionate number of celebrities and other characters of the day did their banking. She was never at a loss for stories to pass on.
But life was still evolving. In 1969 the family relocated to a property near the tiny community of Tottenham (pop 801). She was fortunate in being able to transfer to the Royal Bank branch on the corner of the main street. There she was to meet the local characters who were every bit as large in life as the ones in Toronto. For those who can remember, life in Ontario in the 1970’s was like being caught in a wonderful dream. The farm life agreed with my mother as she loved gardening, flowers and raising all sorts of animals. Her two most noticeable ventures were establishing a herd of Belted Galloway cattle and probably setting a world record for acquiring and the feeding of feral cats.
She finally retired from the bank in 1986 and then travelled annually to Germany to visit with her aging mother. From there she went on to see the whole continent. When Latvia regained its independence in 1991, she made many trips there to visit relatives and childhood friends, none seen since the war.
After her mother passed the travelling slowed down. But she remained ever active on the farm. There was no choice. A sick calf needs attention. Cattle need to be fed, flowers watered and the fireplace stoked. She cared for own needs, drove where and when she had to and was free from physical complaints right up until the very, very end. She truly lived life on her terms.
My reason for the length of this chronicle was to emphasize that her life was one to be celebrated not mourned. I can be sad. She was my mother. But those are only my selfish emotions. For those who cared and remembered her fondly, please understand that all she would have liked is to bring a smile to your face. Always a smile.
Thank you.
Online condolences and memories may be left for the family at www.RodAbramsFuneralHome.com. Arrangements entrusted to Rod Abrams Funeral Home, Tottenham.
Service
Private family ceremony will be held at a later date
Heidi Kreiner-Ley says
Dear Arvils
I did not know Inta for a lengthy time but the times i spent with her were always joyous, filled with laughter and I still smile today.
What a blessing she was in your life. I am sure a tough European mom but one who taught her children the meaning of struggle and joy.
I loved every moment I spent with her. She was a force in life.
my deepest condolences to you and all those who loved her.
heidi Kreiner-Ley
P.S. what a loving and joyous memory you wrote about her life. It is truly wonderful!
Heather Walsh says
What an extraordinary life your Mother had Arvil. Thank you for sharing her story. May your wonderful memories guide you through your grief.
Kelly MacMillan says
Dear Arvil,
I remember you and your family as neighbours on the 4th line. Your Father spent the night on our couch as he was stuck in the fierce snow storm that kept us all home for a week from school. We travelled on the same bus to Banting. Sorry for your loss but certainly a life well lived.
May she Rest in Peace✨️
Kim Ellison says
My condolences on the loss of your mother. I did not know her, but her obituary was so beautiful and it sounds like she had a great life.
Norman.T.Hacker. says
Thank You ,Arv for this.A beautiful tribute,to Grand dame,who i referred to as Mama .She was a very intelligent Lady who was so very aware,and so full of life. It as a pleasure knowing her.
Andrew Lidums says
Hello Arvil
Our deepest condolences on your mother’s passing. I just learned of it from Jack’s Facebook post. Reaching the age of 100 years speaks to Inta’s stamina, and zest for life. I can remember the energy that your mom possessed, along with her passion for the farm life. Hope you are doing ok during this time of reflection.
Andrew, Ilze, Mārtiņš
Cathy Milbury says
My deepest condolences to the family. It was always a pleasure when Inta came into the dental office, she always had a story to tell. We had some good laughs along the way. She will be dearly missed.
Kevin Griffin says
Tina and i enjoyed visiting the family farm and sharing a glass of wine with Inta and Arvils.
Inta was a gracious host displaying a love for life and amazing energy.
We will miss her presence and the many stories from her incredible past.
We offer our sincerest condolences.
Egils Matiss says
Dear Arvil and family,
Thank you for the touching remembrance of your dear mother. She was a force, yet gentle and kind. She was always the first to laugh and bring humor to any situation. I particularly enjoyed hearing her anecdotes about her ” adorable and exceptionally well behaved little boy’s escapades. ”
Inta loved her farm and I always admired her fortitude and strength tackling any task that demanded her attention. Remembering her will always bring a smile to my face.
Veiglas smiltis Inta.
Jaak Jarve says
I’ve known the Perro family when they first moved up to Tottenham in 1969. After a winter school yard encounter in Beeton, Arvils and I became fast friends (Baltic friends).
We enjoyed hunting, playing chess, boxing and playing one-on-one hockey. I remember falling through the ice on one occasion at the Tottenham Conservation area. The Perro family Oskars, Inta, Sandra and Arvils were our only other Baltic connection in Tottenham. We shared the same history of our parents emigrating to Canada and leaving their homeland behind. I dubbed Inta “The Queen of Latvia” and Inta responded immediately and dubbed Arvils “The Crown Prince of Latvia”. I have shared many great steak dinners and chinese food dinners with Arvils and Inta, not to mention the debates on world affairs. It was an honour to have known Inta, Oskars and Sandra. Blessing to all.
Sheila Fowler says
What a wonderful story. I always liked when she came into the dental office and would talk about her past and present. Inta was such a character. She will be missed
Sannie McInnis says
I too remember your mom from the RBC in Tottenham in the 70’s and 80’s. Thank you for bringing back those memories of a long ago time. She was always so professional and helpful and it is lovely to know some of her background and how she lived her retirement years so beautifully.
Condolences to you and your family.
Sannie McInnis
Delphine Archibald says
What a life your mother had. So much history. She certainly had many experiences in life. Sad and happy. I am sure that she experienced every emotion to be felt by humans. Now she is at peace.❤️
Barbara and David Bricknell and Family says
I am so sorry to hear about Inta. She worked with my Mom at the bank for as long as I can remember. She was so stylish, graceful and always interested in how you were doing. Please accept our condolences
Don Semple says
To Inta’s Family
I remember your mother from RBC in the 70s. I would make my own deposits as a kid. Inta served me often when I went in, though she was not the only employee to do so.
I remember her and I remember her elegance, her kindness, and her smile.
Even as I look back to my childhood days, she treated me with the same respect she gave everyone, the adults.
RIP Inta. What a wonderful ride.
Janet Thomson says
Dear Arvil, I remember your Mom so fondly, and I can see her smiling now. Your mother and my mother were the Royal Bank beauties. I’m sure many locals from Tottenham would make an extra trip to the bank to make a deposit or a withdrawal just to lay eyes on these gorgeous tellers with their radiant smiles. My mother enjoyed working side by side with your mother. I also remember your mother’s generous welcome whenever, as a child, I came to visit your enchanting home tucked away down the long laneway behind fields of wild flowers and tall grass. I imagine there are fewer and fewer old timers (like us) who remember our little town during the 70s. Keeping those memories alive is a gift to all of us. Thank you for putting words to paper to capture some of the historic periods your mom came through. You strike an emotional tone that is both poignant, light-hearted, and comical (you, the angelic child?? ) Your mother will be remembered. She will always be Mrs. Perro to me. Take care of yourself, and your mother’s banded cattle! RIP Mrs. Perro.