Pirkko Esteri Tila

Pirkko Esteri Tila, 83, of Astoria, died Monday, May 28, 2012, in Astoria.

She was born April 27, 1929, in Tammela, Finland, to Lauri Johannes and Eva Esteri (Sepponen) Huusela.

Raised in Tammela, she worked for several years at the Finlauson Textile Company, where she met her future husband.

On Sept. 7, 1959, she married Raimo K. Tila in Forssa, Finland. He survives, residing in Astoria.

Mrs. Tila and her husband came to Astoria in 1960. She worked at several local seafood canneries in various positions, including being a filleter and shrimp picker. She retired from the canneries after 25 years.

She was a member of the Ladies of Kalevala and Peace Lutheran Church.

Family members said her hobbies included needlepoint, knitting, sewing, rug making, looming, gardening and baking. She loved spending time with her grandchildren and taught them how to bake.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Markku and Michele Tila of Astoria; a daughter and son-in-law, Marja-Leena and Dan Casey of Scottsdale, Ariz.; four grandchildren, Niina and Niko Tila of Astoria and Eliisa and Tiia Casey of Scottsdale; nieces in Portland; and relatives in Finland.

A memorial will be held at 1 p.m. Friday, June 1, at Peace Lutheran Church in Astoria. A reception will follow at the church.

A private graveside service will be held at Ocean View Cemetery in Warrenton.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 1301 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Suite 800, Washington, DC 20004, or to the Peace Lutheran Church Memorial Fund, 565 12th St., Astoria, OR 97103.

Caldwell’s Luce-Layton Mortuary in Astoria is in charge of the arrangements. An online guest book can be signed at www.caldwellsmortuary.com