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Olga and Helena Klimko and Roman Cherwonogrodzky planted 3 trees in memory of Urve Linnamae
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
3 trees were planted in memory of
Urve Linnamae
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In memory of Urve Linnamae, a good friend.
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Loni Williams posted a condolence
Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Urve will be missed. She could come off as a little gruff, but she was such a caring and compassionate person. When I first met her, she was the brusque old lady that came to water the plants in the Arch department library and wouldn't let you touch the thermostat because it was "bad for the books". Later, during my shifts at the SCAT office, she would come in to sit and share her tuna fish sandwich with long-term resident cat, Webster. And those who attended will always remember Urve's punch at our Saskatoon Archaeological Society meetings! Here's the recipe:
1 can of frozen citrus concentrate
1 can of frozen berry or punch concentrate
2 cans of water
1 - 2L bottle of ginger-ale or club soda
You can add slices of orange or lemon to "make it fancy".
Dear Urve, thank you for being a mentor, friend and overall amazing human. You sometimes couldn't talk without yelling and probably enjoyed cats more than people, but that was part of your charm. We were blessed by the universe to know you. Rest in peace.
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Tonya uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, June 18, 2023
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I was shocked when I learned of Urve's passing so quickly; I had planned to visit her again. Now I have memories of a wonderful person. I knew Urve for over forty years; first met her when I returned to Saskatoon after a decade of travels, to be a student in Anth/Arch. Urve was helpful and supportive to me during my time there, Her words and comments were always to the point, rarely flowery and long. I knew I could trust her. I knew she also gave such support to other students in the department.
Then there was Street Cat Rescue Program where Urve was often central to happenings. I recall so many events, the garage sales, the steak nights, and our meetings at the SCAT offices with the numerous cats wondering about, getting our attention.
Urve had been really supportive to me during the tragedies in my family. She knew just what to say to show she cared. And now, with the war in Ukraine, again Urve reached out to speak with me about this with empathy. How I appreciated this.
Now Urve's kitty, Rascal, lives with me and my SCAT-adoptees (Teddy and Friday), and they all get along nicely. Rascal is a sweetie in all ways except going into the carrier for a vet visit. Rest peacefully, Urve, Rascal is happy.
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Erin Lashta uploaded photo(s)
Sunday, June 18, 2023
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Photos of Urve from when I was working at SCAT between 2017-2020. Birthday cakes, sharing cake with the cats, cuddling cats, and testing out the under shed/deck flexible wire camera we got for trapping. I had already shared a tribute on Facebook - where it was suggested I add these photos here. Urve was one of a kind, and I’m so grateful for the time we spent together.
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Ben Hjermstad posted a condolence
Thursday, June 15, 2023
Very sorry to hear of Urve's passing. She was always very generous with her time and was consequently a great resource for me and other graduate students at the UofS back in the day. I always appreciated her dry wit and her unwavering support for women entering the profession.
The end of the story of her immigration to Canada is also worth repeating. After arriving in Sweden, the Linnamae's eventually made their way to Montreal. Urve's family had had significant land holdings in Estonia, which were now lost to the invading Russians. Considering this, the immigration department declared her father a farmer, and provided the family with an undeveloped section of land near Red Deer, Alberta. They were also given a one way train ticket, and sent off to the Rocky Mountain foothills in the dead of winter. Once the train took them out of the St Lawrence seaway and into the Canadian shield, her parents quite naturally became convinced that they were actually being sent to the Canadian equivalent of Siberia. After several days of snow and extreme temperatures, the train pulled into Winnipeg. Not willing to risk being sent to a prison camp, her parents exited the train for a life in Manitoba, forever giving up their property in Red Deer.
Condolences to her extended family.
Ben Hjermstad
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Heather Wagg posted a condolence
Wednesday, June 14, 2023
Memories with Urve
Here are some special memories over 50 years. Why these little things, who knows, but here are a few moments that just stuck and turned into part of me.
Our great road trip to Toronto (May,1986). It was so easy just sailing along with Urve. At trip’s end I met her parents who seemed very exotic and elegant. Without her the prospect of dealing with my Dad, who was ill, would have been a wrench.
Our birdwatching fiasco near Whitecap First Nation (c. 1987). Her shiny black beast of a four-wheel drive that got stuck. The water was full of tadpoles. Waded and walked out back to a farm. Farmer said: “Four-wheel drive, no good. People just go where they shouldn’t and come to grief.” We survived and went to Traegers. I’m a bit shamefaced about this, but it was consoling to know that Urve could make a driving miscalculation.
The CUPE Union drive, 1987. Urve in Margaret Gail’s dining room being vetted as a witness for the petitioners (us), to claim that Sessional Lecturers should be treated as normal employees rather than somehow just accidentally working with no community of interests. The lawyer said yes, solid witness.
Taxied home by Urve with my first and unplanned SCAT foster cat, Yuri (c. 2004). I’m preparing to disembark with him in the carrier and Urve says “I’m too old for this.”
Urve’s 75th birthday and the list she made us of gifts that would be allowable. First I’d heard of Frank’s Hot Sauce. Dinner at Grainfields with a satisfying number of her SCAT admirers.
Urve’s illness and anticipated death. Least complaints and cheeriest demeanor ever. How did she do it?
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Karen uploaded photo(s)
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
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Urve MC at a SCAT fundraising supper in 2011
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Gary E lit a candle
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
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I was one of the young summer students who was fortunate to be a part of the dig on our first nation, Whitecap, Urve was one of the good people you meet in life.
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Shae Fehr posted a symbolic gesture
Monday, June 12, 2023
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Urve was my role model. Unfortunately I didn't see her much over the last several years until recently, mostly because I felt ashamed of having left the SCAT family behind to pursue an international move that ended in failure. When I returned I entered a very lengthy period of severe depression that kept me from regaining the relationships I'd lost. But the people close to me knew all about my amazing friend Urve, and how much I respected and looked up to her. I can't even count how many days she kept me company at the SCAT office, bringing hot lunches and cookies to share, and providing any support I needed. It really touched me that she liked my company, and would tell me so much of her life and past adventures that many others didnt seem to know. When it came time for me to leave SCAT and Canada behind, I ran into a visa issue that I needed a temporary loan for. In the end I felt more comfortable approaching Urve for help than anyone else in my life, and she happily offered. When it came time that I was able to pay her back, she would only accept partial repayment (despite my rebuddles) because she genuinely wanted to help me with my fresh start. Ive never received generosity of that level from anyone before, and I still dont know why she did this for me, but it made me feel incredibly loved at a time that I needed to feel that.
Thinking back on all the times I poured my heart out to her when I was heartbroken or scared or down on my luck, I did not feel judged or invalidated, I just felt heard and seen. She didn't always know what to say, but she knew how to be there when people needed her. The last time I spoke with her it was a phone call from her terminal care facility, which she placed to thank me for my dedication to and love for animals, and to say that she felt happy to have known me. Even at the end, she went out of her way to make me feel comforted, appreciated and understood. She was not afraid for herself, only for the people (and animals) she was leaving behind. Im very lucky to have known and befriended her. She embodied the strength, endurance, generosity, fierce independence, and adventurous curiosity I'd always hoped to have one day, and I suspect I'll be striving to be more like her the rest of my life.
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The family of Urve Linnamae uploaded a photo
Friday, June 9, 2023
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The family of Urve Linnamae uploaded a photo
Friday, June 9, 2023
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The family of Urve Linnamae uploaded a photo
Friday, June 9, 2023
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The family of Urve Linnamae uploaded a photo
Friday, June 9, 2023
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