Keciorius, Anna

Anna Keciorius passed away on March 4, 2011 at Heritage Hall in Blacksburg. She was 96. Born in 1915 in Tallin, Estonia, she lived her life with great courage and determination and endured many hardships when she was forced to leave her native Estonia in the mid 1940’s after the communist takeover and occupation by the Soviet Union. A widow and single mother, she fled her country with her mother, sisters and young son Louis, and made her way to an American displaced persons camp in Germany. During this difficult time she met her husband Kazys, a refugee from Lithuania, and in spite of the language barriers, they fell in love, married and her second son Peter was born at the camp. Together they emigrated to the United States in 1952 and settled in Lockport, New York where her third child, a daughter, Vicki was born. In true immigrant style of the times, they worked hard at jobs beneath their stature, and despite their many sacrifices and heartache they made a new life for themselves and truly achieved the American Dream. Anna epitomized women’s strength and will to survive until the very end. Her family meant everything to her and her proudest accomplishments was seeing all her children and grandchildren off to college, get married and have successful careers and happy homes. Anna and Kazys moved to Blacksburg in 1993 to escape the brutal winters of upstate New York and be closer to son Peter and his family. Her other son and daughter soon followed. She will be remembered in Blacksburg by the PK’s family and friends where she worked lunch everyday for over 12 years until the age of 90 when her knees gave out. She offered a friendly smile and funny stories to all her customers and homemade cookies to her favorites. She was the “oldest busgirl” in Blacksburg. The death of her dear husband Kazys in 2006 delivered a crushing blow, but their ashes will be commingled and they will be together once again. She is survived by her devoted daughter and best friend Vicki Hauser and her husband Craig, and her son Peter Keciorius and his wife Linda, all of Blacksburg. She is also survived by her son Louis Koel and his wife Wendy formerly of Christiansburg. She has four grandchildren, Tiia Strong of Savannah, GA, Treg Koel of Atlanta, GA, Tania Camper of Christiansburg, VA and Kathryn Keciorius of Blacksburg, VA. She has four great grandchildren, Koel Strong, Karis and Kayden Camper and Landon Koel. The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude to Heritage Hall and Carillon Hospice for the excellent care they provided Anna with a special thanks to Cindy. In lieu of a memorial service or flowers, the family wishes you to honor your own family by remembering the most precious gift you can give your loved ones, especially the elderly, is your time. Thank you to all our friends for your love and support. Live in the moment. Joy to the world. Arrangements by McCoy Funeral Home, Blacksburg.