Tiiu Jalak was the youngest Estonian passenger on the First Transport and possibly the last First Transport passenger to die, 78 years after her arrival in Australia. She had reached the age of 94.
Her death occurred in her homeland, Estonia, on 17 August 2026, with the funeral held in Kaarli Kirik (Charles Church) Tallinn, on 22 August. Australia was just as much her homeland, but the country of birth from which she was forced to flee held her also, especially after its second independence on 20 August 1991. Tiiu just missed the 35th commemoration of this important day.
Below is a translated extract from the eulogy given by a relative, Jaanus Jalakas.
The Book of Psalms in the Old Testament says, “In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.” Amen.
Tiiu was the daughter of Evald Jalak and Helmi Rosalie Rosenberg, born in 1932. Her life soon fell into difficult times so in 1944 Tiiu and her mother fled to Germany and from there to Australia in 1947. They made their home in Sydney.
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| Tiiu (left) with her mother, Helmi, at their first workplace, a Nestlé factory in Dennington, Victoria, probably in 1948 Source: Collection of Tiiu Salasoo Jalak |
She studied biological sciences at the University of Sydney and education at the University of New England. She researched plant physiology, vocational education and teaching Estonian as a second language. Tiiu devoted much of her life and activities to teaching Estonian in Australia, as well as elsewhere in the world.
She wrote an Estonian language textbook and several pedagogical articles about people learning Estonian as a second language. She was a coordinator of Estonian language studies for the Council of Estonian Societies in Australia. Her guiding principle was “as long as there is one person who wants to learn Estonian, we must make it possible for them.”
With Tiiu’s leadership, Estonian language study groups were created in Australia and online Estonian language teaching was provided. These also reached students in many Estonian communities abroad.
Tiiu’s use of the Internet, right up until her last days, was something to be admired. I still remember how she wanted to teach her aunt Riki, over ninety years old and in the Kuusalu nursing home, how to use a computer so that they could talk via the Internet. In those days, it was using Skype.
Tiiu travelled around the world, but she also founded a toddler club in Sydney, where young children could learn Estonian through speaking, reading, playing and singing.
She also served as the Australian correspondent for Estonian Television, was a member of the editorial board of the Estonian-Australian weekly, Meie Kodu, contributed to several Estonian publications abroad and also to Sydney's Estonian-language radio programs.
In the year 2000, President Lennart Meri recognized Tiiu’s endeavours and achievements with the Order of the White Star, Fifth Class, for her work with the Estonian language.
The Estonian Journalists' Association wrote, "For over half a century, Tiiu has taken care of the Estonian language in Estonian culture and life, across national borders and over continents,” and added that she was one of the living bridges connecting Estonians all over the world.
Tiiu was also a bridge for family reunions, keeping her relatives in touch so that they would not lose contact in this wide world.
It is certainly not easy for a mother to say goodbye to her children. Tiiu had to do this twice. In 2016, her daughter Aita died, and in 2024, it was her son Lembit. Before the following New Year, her husband Inno died after they had shared a long life together.
We must also say words of gratitude to those who were around her, especially to her son Olev and to Signe, who was helping Tiiu in her Tallinn home every day, and to the many friends with whom she spent her penultimate day.
Tiiu had breathed her last on St Laurus' Day, in an evening hour.* On the previous day I spoke with Tiiu, and she confirmed that she had asked the Heavenly Father for forgiveness for all her sins and that she had been very happy with the people who had been around her and the love that she had experienced in her life from her family, her children, her grandchildren, and also from her friends.
And before I finish, I will read one more verse from the twenty-third chapter of the Gospel of Matthew. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted. Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the door of the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.”
Tiiu was certainly the kind of person who wanted us to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.
Here is one last thought from Tiiu’s journey through life, from fellow traveller Kaja, who remembered Tiiu like this: “Tiiu taught us with her life how to never give up, how hope in God and trusting in the Heavenly Father helps us overcome difficulties, and how there is always a way out of worry. Tiiu taught us all so much, and every time we left her, there was joy and hope in our souls — there is an empty place left for her. But we always think about her.” Such beautiful words.
Her son, Olev, has remembered her as “the bravest, strongest, most loving mother ever.”
FOOTNOTE: * St Laurus was the twin of St Florus, two 2nd century AD stonemasons from Illyria, in the Western Balkans, an area which now is covered by parts of Albania, Montenegro, Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Croatia. Their lives and miracles are explained well in Orthodox Church in America, Martyrs Florus and Laurus of Illyria.
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