I am so heartbroken to have lost my best friend. I first met Elvyra and her family in the 1970's, when we emigrated to Calgary from

Lithuania. We had maintained a very close relationship ever since.

I have wonderful memories of visiting Lithuania with Elvyra and Arvydas, not long after Lithuania gained independence. I also have fond memories of going on numerous day trips with Elvyra and Arvydas (and at times Veronika) to Banff and other surrounding nature areas. I recall one time when my son was small he went in Evlyra's car, with our car following them on the way to the mountains. Somehow our cars got separated and we could not find one other for many hours. Arvydas could not recall our home phone number off the top of his head so asked my son if he knew his home number. My son was more than happy to help by telling Arvydas that he was certain the phone number started with 403 (that was the extent of his help). We brought this incident up many times over the years and always laughed.

We would frequently visit one another's homes for Lithuanian meals (Elvyra was a great cook), to listen to Arvydas play the piano (he played beautifully) and just chat and relax. My husband and I always enjoyed our time together with Elvyra and Arvydas, they were fun loving and extremely easy going.

The last time I saw Elvyra in person was a few years before Arvydas passed away, when I visited Calgary to be with them for a week. Prior to this, Arvydas and Elvyra flew out to be with my son and I after my husband passed away. This was very meaningful for us.

I will always remember Elvyra as an extremely kind and gentle soul. In the half-century that I had known Elvyra, I never heard her complain -she was always optimistic, forever upbeat even during those times when life was not a "bed of roses." Elvyra had hardships as a child, but despite these hardships, Elvyra grew into a very strong, compassionate woman with a very positive attitude towards life.

Elvrya was so proud of Veronika, and for good reason. All of Elvyra's beautiful qualities, she passed on to her daughter. Elvyra and invited to Banff to watch a performance of an opera produced by Veronika. The photo of Arvydas and Elvyra at this performance shows them seated, beaming with immense pride. Veronika were not only mother and daughter, they were best friends. I recall how excited Elvyra was when she and Arvydas were invited to visit Banff to watch a performance of an opera produced by Veronika. The photo of Elvyra and Arvydas at the performance shows them seated togerher, beaming with immense pride.

Elvyra was a pillar of Calgary's Lithuanian community for many decades. She loved her Lithuanian heritage, the culture and Lithuania's people. Elvyra organized countless Lithuanian community events, at times held at her home. In the photo section I have included a photo of one such event when Elvyra and Arvydas played host to Lithuania's junior basketball team and local Lithuanians (Elvyra took this photo). I have also included a photo of Elvyra visiting our home in Calgary, so many years ago (Arvydas took the photo).

After Arvydas passed away, Elvyra and I spoke on the phone and emailed each other weekly, often multiple times per week. I spoke with Elvyra only days before her hospitalization. During our call she was her usual happy, funny, positive self and her mind as sharp as ever.

My heart breaks to have to say goodbye to my best friend in this manner. I will greatly miss our weekly conversations, wishing one another Merry Christmas and receiving the yearly tradition photo, on Easter, depicting Elvyra's latest Easter egg creation.

I am immensely grateful for having known such a wonderful person and to have been part of Elvyra's life for a half-century.

Lee and I wish to extend our deepest condolences, and love, to Veronika on the loss of her mother and best friend.

Vanda and Lee