Mara Elsbeth Maasepp nee Saluste
B. 29/30/1929 in Tartu Estonia (no siblings)
D. 12:15AM 27/12/2022
Mother : Marcella Saluste
Father (Biological): Eugen Ott
Father (Legal): Bernhard Saluste
Occupation : Mother, Dental assistant & raw material controller at CMA
Liverpool (27 years)
Grew up in Tallinn Estonia having a good education at first in the 1930s and the need to move around a lot when the Soviet occupation of Estonia began. Her mother Marcella went to work in Germany and Mara was sent to boarding school and billeted out to various families. Once the European war was in full force Mara moved to join her mother in Ladis, Austria and work in a Gauste haus until the allies moved in. Initially in the French displaced person camp (DP) section, she eventually ended up in the American DP sector.
While there her mother Marcella, arranged for them to travel to Australia where Macella’s sister Elsie was living since the late 1920’s.
Mara had learnt English in DP camp so she could get a job when she arrived in Australia at the age of 17.
Mara & her mother lived at Moore Park, which was close to Estonian House in Surry Hills. Mara liked to go there for the dances and other activities. One day in the Esto house library she met Nils Maasepp. Mara and Nils got married in 1952 and had two children Christine (1954) and Peter (1955).
They moved to Prestons (near Liverpool) to live on Nils’ aunt’s ( Ida) farm, where they started a chicken meat business for a few years. Later on they built a new house in the next street (1959), which Mara and her family lived in for 35 years. After her children left home (1994), Mara & Nils moved to a new house in Ingleburn for 10 years. In 2004, Mara lost her husband and also moved to Thirlmere Village where she stayed until now.
Mara is survived by 2 children 5 grandchildren ( Mak, Erik, Dru, Leah & Karla) and 10 great grandchildren (Ayden, Saxon, James, Caitlin, Daniel, Luke, Ravyn, Harper, Isla & Heiki).