Taimi Kiiss Lepasaar, 90, retired music teacher, choir director and church organist, died at her home in Johnston, R.I., on May 12, 2012.

Born in Tartu, Estonia on January 31, 1922, the daughter of August and Anna Kiiss, she studied at the Tartu Music Conservatory and the Teachers Seminary, graduating in 1941.

When the Soviets reoccupied Estonia in 1944, she fled with her husband, two-year old daughter and parents to Germany. She was already widowed in 1945 when her second child was born. The family came to the US in 1949 as war refugees.

After earning her B.Ed degree from Rhode Island College, she taught music in the Providence public schools from 1956 to 1987. A woman of indomitable courage and perseverance, and of great generosity, she gave her all to her students, to the Estonian community, to her family and her friends. She is mourned by all who knew her.

She is survived by daughters Merike Beecher and lle Bienvenu, grandsons Ilmar and Lembit Beecher, brother Ilmar Kiiss and his family in Estonia, niece Kadi Kiiss, nephew Valdo Kiiss, sons-in-law Jonathan Beecher and Richard Bienvenu.

Service at Swan Point Cemetery Chapel at 12:00 noon on May 31st. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Taimi Lepasaar may be made to Estonian American Fund, PO Box 739, Silver Spring MD 20907.

Funeral arrangements made by Prata-Murphy Funeral Home.

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Prata - Murphy Funeral Home
78 Providence Street
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