Aelita Arija Anderson

Born on December 29, 1926, in Riga, Latvia, Aelita and her family were World War II refugees as they fled their native country in 1942.

She completed high school in Germany and then began medical studies at Goethe University in Frankfurt, Germany. She immigrated to the United States in 1950 and completed her studies at Columbia University, receiving a degree in Physical Therapy. Upon receipt of her degree, she immediately began working in helping to rehabilitate children with polio. She had a holistic approach to healing and combined her professional skills with gentle humor, playfulness and sincere interest in the patient as a person. This regularly resulted in positive results. Her children fondly remember how often her patients would approach them and express gratitude for how Aelita helped them recover from injuries and trauma. Her career spanned 55 years, during which she worked in leadership roles at several hospitals and rehabilitation centers in Venezuela and the United States. Among those being the Union County Cerebral Palsy Center in Cranford, New Jersey. as well as West Essex General Hospital in Livingston, NJ.

Aelita spoke Latvian, German, English and Spanish fluently.

In addition to her career, Aelita was a devoted mother to her five children and their families: Aina, Ilse, Harald, David, daugher-in-law Sharon, Christine and son-in-law Terry. She always made time for her family and was deeply involved in their lives. She instilled in them a love of education, a great appreciation of mystery, and a strong work ethic that has served them well in their own lives. She also loved gardening, reading, travel and world history.

Aelita will be remembered as a kind, compassionate, and selfless individual who touched the lives of many. Her legacy will live on through the countless patients she helped, the lives she touched, and the family she loved.

A private service for family and close friends will be held to celebrate her life and give thanks for the many wonderful experiences she created. Her children and grandchildren choose to honor her for a life well lived.

Words are a feeble attempt to express the gratitude her family has for our matriarch and the life she has given us. Her compassion, and unwavering support have been the foundation of our joy and growth. We thank you, for every sacrifice you made for us, for every prayer you uttered in our names, for every hug you gave us, for every moment spent together, and for your unending love.

We Miss You. We Love You. We Thank You for instilling in our hearts your essence. Godspeed until we cross paths again.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.neptunesociety.com/location/tampa-cremation for the Anderson family.