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RHINEBECK, N.Y. – Laima Celmins, a resident of Rhinebeck, died Saturday, June 25. She was 77.
She was born March 19, 1939 in Riga, Latvia.
In 1944 her family escaped war-torn Latvia and resided in displaced camps in Germany until 1947. In 1947, they came to New York City, where she later attended The Bronx High School of Science. After briefly residing in Rosendale, she moved to Lagrange, NY (1965-76), briefly to Rosendale, and then to Kingston (1976-2010).
During those years, she worked as a secretary at New York State Life Insurance and then at the Ulster County JTPA Offices. She entered Ferncliff Nursing Home in 2010.
She enjoyed spending her time gardening, tending houseplants, reading, and participating in Kingston Community Radio. She had fond memories of vacations in Sound Beach as a child.
She is survived by her sister Mara Puspurs of Loudonville; son Erik and his wife Mechelle Kusko of Stanford.; and granddaughters Becky Kusko of Cambridge, Mass. and Nicole and her husband Aaron Stepnoski of Furlong, Pa.
She was predeceased by her parents Helga Hartman and Ervins Celmins; and her partner John Gould.
A committal service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, July 2, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church of Wurtemberg, with the Rev. Mark D. Isaacs officiating. Interment will be at noon Oct. 9 at the Latvian Memorial Park in Tannersville.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home, 51 W. Market St., Rhinebeck.
Memorial contributions may be made to Kingston Community Radio.
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