Niomi Mackela

Niomi (Kivela) Mackela August 26, 1925 - December 4, 2013 Plainfield - Niomi (Kivela) Mackela, 88, of Plainfield died December 4th, 2013 at Colonial Health and Rehab Center where she was a patient. Niomi was born August 26, 1925 in New York, NY. to Arvid and Impi (Syrenius) Kivela and was one of nine children - William, Oiva ‘Rudy', Doris, Eleanore, Donald, John, Richard, and Edwin. Her parents were immigrants from Finland and she was fluent in the finnish language as a result. She graduated Plainfield High School in 1944 and continued her education at Morse Business School in Hartford where she obtained a Business degree. She met Edwin Mackela and married October of 1947 living in East Meadow, then Kings Park, Long Island where they had their four children - Carol, Niomi, Thomas and Edwin. Family roots brought them back to Plainfield by the late 60's. Niomi worked at W.W. Backus Hospital in Norwich until she retired. In the early 70's she was Secretary to the Director of Nursing. In the 80's she was the Assistant to the Director of Personnel. She also was known for her role as Mrs. Santa at the annual holiday employee dinners, which she truly enjoyed. She lived in West Palm Beach, FL. for a few years after retirement where she joined the West Palm Beach chapter of the Red Hat Society. After missing both our New England weather and her family she decided to return to Connecticut where she moved into The Virginia Connelly Village for assisted living in Simsbury where she resided until recent health issues. Niomi's last wish was to return to her hometown of Plainfield where she passed peacefully after a long and wonderful life. Niomi is survived by her daughter Carol (Bruce) Veronick of Avon, daughter Niomi (Anthony) Klick of Wickford, R.I., son Edwin (Liz) Mackela of Moosup, nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren, 24 nieces and nephews. She was pre-deceased by her parents Arvid and Impi Kivela, her son Thomas Mackela, her husband Edwin Mackela, her brothers Oiva ‘Rudy', Richard, William, Donald Kivela, and her sister Doris Saari. She will be laid to rest at Pinelawn National Cemetery on Long Island where her husband and son rest. Labenski Funeral Home is in charge of her cremation. There are no calling hours per Niomi's own request. The family will have a ‘Celebration of Her Life' gathering after the holidays for which details are still being worked on.