Eija Irmeli Johns (née Salma), age 82, passed away peacefully on December 7, 2025, in Lafayette, Indiana.
Born on March 14, 1943, in Langikoski, Finland, near the Russian border during the height of World War II, Eija's early life was shaped by resilience and courage. For her safety as an infant, she was sent to Runosmaki in Turku, Finland, where she spent her first year away from the conflict. At the age of three, she emigrated to the United States with her parents, Kaarlo Salma and Aili Jansson Salma. The family's journey aboard the luxurious Drottningholm was a formative experience for young Eija. Upon seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time in New York Harbor, she was so eager to embrace her new homeland that she tried to jump overboard to reach it first.
Eija spent her early childhood in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, among a close-knit Finnish-American community before relocating with her family to Torrance, California. Her independent spirit and adventurous nature emerged early. At just 17 years old, she agreed to drive her employer's car across the country to Washington, D.C.—and decided to stay. Balancing determination and practicality, she attended college classes at George Washington University during the day and worked nights at a bar to support herself.
Gifted with a natural aptitude for languages—including French and Spanish—Eija built a remarkable career as a translator and transcriber. She worked for the Moroccan embassy and held positions with various governmental agencies including the United Nations and the Supreme Court. Her linguistic talents took her abroad; while working in Peru, she became fluent in Spanish and immersed herself in local culture.
Eija's personal life was as unconventional as her professional one. She shared a romantic relationship with Bernard Johns for three years until he decided to move to Lebanon. Though she chose not to follow him then, they later married so that he could qualify for larger accommodations overseas. Eija spent three weeks in Lebanon before returning to the United States.
Her love of travel led her to the Virgin Islands for what began as a vacation but turned into another bold chapter of her life. Enchanted by the islands' beauty and laid-back lifestyle—and inspired by the affordability of rum—she opened a bar specializing in rum-based drinks. After a robbery occurred while she was away one evening, Eija decided it was time to close that chapter and move on once again.
Later in life, Eija faced significant challenges with characteristic strength. A disabling accident left her wheelchair-bound and living in an assisted living facility. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she endured two years of isolation. Yet even these hardships could not dim her spirit. In her final years, she found comfort and joy in reuniting with her siblings and relocating to Indiana under the care of her brother Richard.
Eija was a follower of the Lutheran faith and lived life on her own terms—with curiosity, courage, and a deep appreciation for new experiences.
She is survived by her brother, Richard Salma of Camden, Indiana; her sister, Mary Ann Adams (David) of Lecanto, Florida; nieces Lori Salma of Evansville, Indiana, and Lesli Salma of Noblesville, Indiana; and a cousin, Mark Salma, of Carmel, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her father Kaarlo Salma; mother Aili Jansson Salma Francis; and infant brother Veikko Salma.
A woman of remarkable independence and resilience, Eija's legacy is one of adventure and perseverance. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her.
Born on March 14, 1943, in Langikoski, Finland, near the Russian border during the height of World War II, Eija's early life was shaped by resilience and courage. For her safety as an infant, she was sent to Runosmaki in Turku, Finland, where she spent her first year away from the conflict. At the age of three, she emigrated to the United States with her parents, Kaarlo Salma and Aili Jansson Salma. The family's journey aboard the luxurious Drottningholm was a formative experience for young Eija. Upon seeing the Statue of Liberty for the first time in New York Harbor, she was so eager to embrace her new homeland that she tried to jump overboard to reach it first.
Eija spent her early childhood in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, among a close-knit Finnish-American community before relocating with her family to Torrance, California. Her independent spirit and adventurous nature emerged early. At just 17 years old, she agreed to drive her employer's car across the country to Washington, D.C.—and decided to stay. Balancing determination and practicality, she attended college classes at George Washington University during the day and worked nights at a bar to support herself.
Gifted with a natural aptitude for languages—including French and Spanish—Eija built a remarkable career as a translator and transcriber. She worked for the Moroccan embassy and held positions with various governmental agencies including the United Nations and the Supreme Court. Her linguistic talents took her abroad; while working in Peru, she became fluent in Spanish and immersed herself in local culture.
Eija's personal life was as unconventional as her professional one. She shared a romantic relationship with Bernard Johns for three years until he decided to move to Lebanon. Though she chose not to follow him then, they later married so that he could qualify for larger accommodations overseas. Eija spent three weeks in Lebanon before returning to the United States.
Her love of travel led her to the Virgin Islands for what began as a vacation but turned into another bold chapter of her life. Enchanted by the islands' beauty and laid-back lifestyle—and inspired by the affordability of rum—she opened a bar specializing in rum-based drinks. After a robbery occurred while she was away one evening, Eija decided it was time to close that chapter and move on once again.
Later in life, Eija faced significant challenges with characteristic strength. A disabling accident left her wheelchair-bound and living in an assisted living facility. During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, she endured two years of isolation. Yet even these hardships could not dim her spirit. In her final years, she found comfort and joy in reuniting with her siblings and relocating to Indiana under the care of her brother Richard.
Eija was a follower of the Lutheran faith and lived life on her own terms—with curiosity, courage, and a deep appreciation for new experiences.
She is survived by her brother, Richard Salma of Camden, Indiana; her sister, Mary Ann Adams (David) of Lecanto, Florida; nieces Lori Salma of Evansville, Indiana, and Lesli Salma of Noblesville, Indiana; and a cousin, Mark Salma, of Carmel, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her father Kaarlo Salma; mother Aili Jansson Salma Francis; and infant brother Veikko Salma.
A woman of remarkable independence and resilience, Eija's legacy is one of adventure and perseverance. May her memory bring comfort to those who knew her.
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