Rauha – also known as “Lyydia” by those who couldn’t pronounce her Finnish name - was born on October 11, 1928 in Virrat, Pirkanmaa, Finland to her beloved parents Johannes Keskinen and Liisa Eriika Keskinen (o.s. Laakko) both of whom had pre-deceased Rauha.
Rauha grew-up at their families’ “home farm” along-side her parents and eight siblings (4 brothers and 4 sisters) in Kurjenkyla, Finland – the land of a thousand lakes. In 1959, Rauha bravely made the decision following her brother Onni’s lead to follow her heart and emigrate from Finland to Toronto, Canada to establish her own new life.
Rauha married Oliver Tuhkasaari raising two children (daughter - Liisa Wallace; son – Eric Tuhkasaari) while successfully running a mixed-grain and dairy farm in New Lowell, Ontario, Canada. Being on a farm, Rauha did Bible Study by mail. Later in life (moving this time to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada) she became an active in the community: being a church and church choir member, being a quilter with Burnaby Hospital (fund raising) and Century House for Active Seniors in New Westminster, BC, being a talented artist/illustrator, and being an awful violinist.
Rauha is survived by her daughter (Liisa Wallace), her grandson (Jeffrey Wallace; son of Liisa and Robert Wallace) and her son (Eric Tuhkasaari and his beloved wife Lisa). Rauha loved her two children but adored her grandson, Jeffrey Wallace. Jeffrey was blessed to have had his grandmother in his life for 24 years. They had a deep and loving relationship.
In Finland, Rauha is survived by one sister, Anna Heittola. Rauha is also survived by beloved nieces and nephews (and their extended) family in Finland, including the following children of Rauha’s predeceased brothers and sisters: Vaino Keskinen (brother, d.): Kauko Tapanainen (son); Hilma Ruohomaen (sister, d.): Anna Tammenmaa (daughter), Jussi Bjorninen (son); Viemo Niemi-Jaskarin (sister, d.): Tuula Mantysalmi (daughter) and Jukka Niemi-Jaskari (son); Meimi Vaskuun (sister, d.): Antti Ohvanainen (son); Emma Jokisen (sister, d.): Seija Rostila (daughter); and Anna Keittolan (sister, d.): Taina Vaisto (daughter, d): Jari Lundmark (son of Taina Vaisto).
In Canada, Rauha is survived by her beloved nephew and niece of her brother, Onni Keskinen (d.), Markku Keskinen (son) and Aino-Liisa Keskinen (daughter).
A memorial service for Rauha will be held Saturday, September 21, 2024 at 11:00 am at:
Danish Lutheran Church, 6010 Kincaid Street, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G 4N3 followed by a reception/fellowship in the Church Hall.
Rauha will be laid to rest in Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 3789 Royal Oak Ave, Burnaby, British Columbia V5G3M1 on Tuesday, September 24th at 2:00 pm. She was a practical woman and made her own funeral/burial arrangements 25 years ago wanting her passing to be easier on the loved ones left behind – always thinking lovingly of others.
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