Anna Alise Rande

Rande, Anna Alise ALBANY Anna Alise Rande, 89, of Albany passed on at St. Peter's Hospice on August 8, 2012. Anna was born in Latvia on March 15, 1923, and arrived in this country in 1950, as a displaced person. While studying in the capital of Latvia, Riga, Anna married her childhood friend, Janis. As news of the Second War progressed, Janis, Anna and Janis' mother sought their way out. Too many of the family had either been killed or sent to harsh labor camps in Siberia. As it was, the day after they managed to leave by ship, the Soviets closed the ports. Anna and her husband spent seven years in four displaced persons' camps in the American zone in Germany. Daughter Balva was born in Aschaffenburg. Finally receiving sponsorship from the Lutheran Church, she set sail for the USA. Conditions in Saginaw, Mich. were however, intolerable, but instead of complaining, they took Janis' sister's advice to come to Albany, N.Y. Although Janis was an electrician and mechanical draftsman by trade, his lack of English language skills prevented him from taking offered jobs. He resigned himself to factory work to support his family. Anna also engaged in factory work at Seal-test and the Billiard Board Factory and Wilke's Dry Cleaning Store which was practically next door. This lasted until the fire at Carnavale's. Although accepted for a job at a photo processing place, lack of transport put an end to this dream. Anna spent her initial creative bend embroidering throw pillows with Latvian motifs. But she found her real niche in painting. Her floral oil paintings adorn many a Latvian wall. Her one woman exhibit of her works was definitely a highpoint in her life. It validated her, but she did not need validating. Her talents were many. She learned about electricity and plumbing from her husband, so repairmen were scarce at their home. She was an excellent seamstress, for which she earned her certification. When Anna's granddaughter took up ballet, it was her grandmother who adjusted her pointe shoes and never complained. Anna also loved to cook. She was able to bake the classic sweet-sour Latvian bread to perfection. She also perfected the not-so-Latvian dishes such as bagels from scratch and she often hosted a lasagna dinner that was praised far and wide. She tried to improve her English by reading biographies and watching word oriented game shows on t.v. such as "Jeopardy" Her joy was her easy chair and watching television. Her joy was checking out the Price Chopper flyer and she was able to drive her car till her sudden passing. Joy for Anna was found in the simple things. Anna had left Latvia suddenly due to World War II and she had not seen her parents for 25 years. She dared, without advice, to attempt a trip in 1970 in the midst of the Cold War. Balva accompanied her. All was monitored, but this was a much needed reunion for Anna and her parents. She has visited Latvia numerous times since. Anna Rande was a member of the Latvian Lutheran Church in Schenectady, and her presence will be missed, as she was easy to love and kind to all. Anna was predeceased by her dear husband, Janis. She is survived and remembered by her daughter, Balva Inese; and her beloved granddaughter, Kaira; along with her son-in-law, Ansis Kristbergs; and relatives and friends here in the United States and Latvia. Many will be lighting candles, as is a tradition. Her cats, Fuzz and Robespierre, strongly feel her absence. She will be laid to rest in the Latvian Memorial Cemetery in Tannersville, N.Y. in the beautiful Catskill Mountain. In Latvian, "Vieglas smiltis" - May it be so.