Obituary of Millie Birk

New Scotland - Millie Birk died Saturday, February 2, 2013. Millie Birk was born Millija Leontine Graudins in Riga Latvia, June 3, 1927, as the youngest of 6 children. All of her siblings are deceased. Her 4 brothers fought in the Latvian Resistance movement, against the Russians in WWII. Millie and her mother Zenija were forced to flee their homeland in 1945, and take refuge in a DP camp in Spakenberg Germany. Her sister was left behind in Latvia, and lived under Russian occupation for most of her life. Millie built a life for herself and her mother in Hamburg Germany. She had settled in another DP camp in Altona, Hamburg Germany, and found work in a tin can factory, that allowed her to support herself, her mother & a daughter, Astrid Birk, who was born in 1949. Millie was very active with the Latvian Folk groups, which involved dancing and singing, and touring around Europe. She took great pride in her singing ability. Millie had met her husband Otto Birk while living at the Hamburg DP camp. They had married after Otto had already immigrated to the US, and had joined him with her daughter later in the US, to settle in Albany NY. Millie was also noted for throwing great parties for her friends, and was very talented at baking tortes. Millie worked along with Otto at Ellis Hospital for 20 plus years. Millie was predeceased by her husband Otto Birk, and is survived by her daughter Astrid Birk (Dave Morrison), grandson Justin Birk (Dana), niece Marite Krumina & her son Tomass, and nephew Arvids of of Riga Latvia, and cousins Velga Jansons and Skaidrite Brencis and their families of Toronto Canada. Relatives and friends are invited to call Wednesday, February 6, 2013 from 4 - 7 p.m. at the Reilly & Son Funeral Home, Voorheesville. For those who wish, memorial contributions to the Mohawk - Hudson Humane Scoiety, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204 would be appreciated.