LAKE WORTH, FL - Anja Vilamaa Karjalainen, a Florida resident since 1979 and formerly of Hopewell Junction, died on April 20, 2017 at J.F.K. Medical Center in Atlantis, FL. She was 82.
Daughter of the late Simo and Tyyne (Hautapaakkanen) Yla-Outinen, she was born in Sakkijarvi, Finland on August 27, 1934.
Anja took much pride in her Finnish heritage and belonged to the Finnish-American Tourist Club (Lake Worth, FL), The Karelians of Florida, and the Finnish-American Rest Home (Lake Worth, FL).
Her hobbies included knitting and baking.
On December 22, 1974, she married Raimo Karjalainen in Hopewell Junction. Raimo survives at home in Lake Worth.
Anja is also survived by three sons: Kari Vilamaa & his wife Jeannine of Fort Wayne, IN, Jouko Vilamaa & his wife Shelley of Strongsville, OH, and Peter Vilamaa & his wife Linda of Midland, NC; her grandchildren: Kris Vilamaa of Montgomery, AL, Nik Vilamaa of Nappanee, IN, Daniel Vilamaa of Strongsville, OH, and Tanja Vance of Columbia, SC; eight great-grandchildren; her siblings, Pentti Yla-Outinen, Helvi Tilli, and Irja Hannula, all of Finland; and many nieces, nephews, and other relatives & friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a brother, as well as her first husband, Simo Vilamaa, who predeceased her in 1973.
Calling hours will be held from 10 am to 12 pm on Saturday, April 29 at the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. A funeral service will begin at 12 pm immediately following the visitation, with Rev. John Young officiating. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Finnish-American Rest Home, Inc., 1800 South Drive, Lake Worth, FL 33461; www.farh.org
For directions and online tributes, you can visit Anja's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.