Lena M. Tardif

Lena Marjatta Tardif, 86, passed away on March 5, 2015 at Upper Chesapeake Hospital in Bel Air. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 54 Years, CW2 (Ret) Leo J. Tardif Sr.). Mrs. Tardif is survived by her four sons; Leo J. Tardif Jr. and his wife Lynn of Aberdeen, MD, Paul H. Tardif and his wife Christine of Laytonsville, MD, Eric Tardif of Aberdeen, MD, and Mark R. Tardif and his wife Sherrie of Ashburn, VA. She had ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren and loved, and is loved by, each one. She and her husband raised their four sons in Aberdeen, MD. Born in 1928 in Viipuri, Finland prior to its annexation by the Soviet Union in 1944. She spent her teenage years in war-torn Europe attempting to avoid the war zones, sometimes not successfully. She met the love of her life in post-WWII Germany where she served as a Red Cross interpreter. Fluent in seven languages, she was among the first to enter the liberated concentration camps to interpret for, and to record the life stories of, camp survivors. One of her proudest moments was becoming a U.S. Citizen after coming to the states with her husband and first their child. Although she raised four rambunctious sons, she always found time to volunteer. She was a founding member of the APG Officer's Wives Club, was an American Red Cross volunteer for more than 25 years, and helped run the APG Thrift Shop for many years. Mrs. Tardif was a voracious reader, in several languages, and enjoyed spending time with her family. She also enjoyed discussing current event and politics. She will be buried alongside her husband at Arlington National Cemetery on 8 April 2015 at 10:00 am. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to the American Red Cross. Funeral Home: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001 Visitation: Tarring-Cargo Funeral Home 333 South Parke Street Aberdeen, MD US 21001