Silvia Nerska, 94, of Rising Sun, MD, formerly of Seneca Falls, NY and Clearwater, FL, passed away January 6, 2014 at her home.

She was born on May 30, 1919 in Rakvere, Estonia. In the 1940s, following the Soviet occupation, her husband was exiled to Siberia, and she, her sister in law, her two sons and her niece were able to leave the country and begin a new life. Due to her courage and resourcefulness, after a struggle for several years, she arrived in the U.S. in 1949, settling in upstate New York. Proud of her heritage, she passed it on to her children. She was a bookkeeper but her life’s work was as a homemaker and mother. She was an avid gardener and was known for her beautiful flowers and canned much of the produce she grew. Silvia was also a talented seamstress and was also a devout Christian.

Surviving are her two sons, Enn Kotkas and his wife Donna of Rising Sun, and Heiti Kotkas and his companion Sharon of Clearwater, FL; four grandchildren, Erin, Erika, Erik and Maija; five great grandchildren; and her niece Epp Hardy and husband Randy.

A service honoring her life will be held at R.T. Foard Funeral Home, P.A., 111 S. Queen St., Rising Sun, MD 21911 on Saturday January 11, 2014 at 7 pm with a visitation beginning at 6:00. Burial will be private. Contribution checks in Silvia’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society and mailed to the funeral home.