- Date Of Birth: July 13, 1925
- Date Of Death: November 15, 2017
- State: Michigan
Died on November 15, 2017, in Vermont. Spidola (Speedy) was born July 13, 1925, in Koknese, Latvia, the daughter of Karlis and Olga Mezsets (Lasis).
Following the annexation of Latvia by the USSR during World War II, she and her family came to the United States in 1950 under the International Refugee Program and lived in Lawrence, MI until 1956, when they settled in Kalamazoo. She lived her life attempting to reciprocate this generosity of spirit and kindness of the American government and people.
Spidola was employed in sales at Gilmore Bros (downtown) for nearly two decades until her retirement in 1988. She was an active member of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran United Church of Kalamazoo and sang in the esteemed Latvian mixed choir, “Dziesmu Vairogs” (the “Shield of Songs”) for many years.
Accomplished in sewing, needlecraft, cooking, and gardening, and a lover of music and animals, she dedicated her life to serving her family and others. She was much respected and loved.
Spidola’s beloved husband, Alfreds, who she married on August 6, 1949, in Erlangen, Germany predeceased her in 2003.
She is survived by her daughters, Sarmite and Maruta, their respective husbands, Michael Lawrence and Martins Grots; her three grandsons, Mark (his wife Holly and daughters Persephone and Aurora) and Robin Lawrence and Roberts Grots; her brother and sister-in-law, Aldonis and Ruta Mezsets; nieces, nephews and many friends.
