Obituary of Anna Liisa Saarinen

Anna Liisa Saarinen passed away January 10, 2016, at St. Clare's Hospital in Denville, NJ. She was 92 years old. After a difficult early life in her native Finland, Anna Liisa set her sights on America. Arriving in New York City at just 16, she first found work as a domestic and attended night school. She went on to office work with bookkeeping – and of course, a memorable stint as an Avon Lady. Anna Liisa's ability to thrive in New York City ultimately paved the way for her brothers, Kalle and Aarne, to join her from Finland. She even helped them find their first jobs in America. An avid swimmer and skier, Anna Liisa quickly discovered that Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey was home to Suomi Hovi, a Finnish resort that was to be the source of many fond memories in her later life. Anna Liisa so loved the lake that in her late 40s, she achieved the personal milestone of purchasing land in Lake Hopatcong and building the house she was so proud of. Many Lake Hopatcong residents remember Anna for her 1973 baby blue Volkswagen Beetle, which she still drove up until her late 80s. As Anna got older she was always amazed that somehow her car had become vintage. She had some awareness that she, too, was becoming "vintage": "You don't buy the green bananas at my age," she'd say. A breast cancer survivor for 40+ years, Anna will be remembered as a headstrong, savvy woman with a sharp sense of humor and a bright, intelligent mind. She did not suffer fools gladly. While dementia took away bits and pieces of Anna's personality in her later years, she never stopped expressing a desire to swim in Lake Hopatcong, causing one of her health professionals to comment more than once: "If only we had a swimming pool in this nursing home, Anna would be a lot happier." Anna is survived by her loving nieces, as well as her many friends and neighbors. A service will be held on Saturday, January 16th at 2 pm at Norman Dean Home for Services, 16 Righter Avenue, Denville, NJ 07834. The visitation will take place from 1 – 3 pm. Cremation will be private. Please leave a condolence for her family.