Arja H. (Nieminen) Alitalo, 94
Was member of Finnish-American Club at Saima Park

FITCHBURG - Irja H. (Nieminen) Alitalo, 94, a long-time Fitchburg resident, died Sunday, July 8, 2007, in the Golden Living Center, after an illness.

She was born in Turku, Finland, on Nov. 22, 1912.

Mrs. Alitalo was a member of the Elm Street Congregational Church and the Finnish-American Club of Saima Park.

She leaves one son, Eric Alitalo of Fitchburg; one daughter, Marja-Leena Bourque and her husband Brian, of Fitchburg; three granddaughters, Marisa Spagnuolo and her husband, Rocco of Ashburnham, Amy Alitalo of East Dennis, and Lori Hembrow of Ashburnham; and two great-grandchildren, Brianna and Dominic Spagnuolo, both of Ashburnham.

Her husband of 46 years, Eino E. Alitalo, died in 1984. She was predeceased by a daughter-in-law, Sara M. (Foley) Alitalo of Fitchburg, who died in 2004, and two brothers.

Funeral services and burial in Forest Hill Cemetery were private. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Activity Fund of the Golden Living Center, 1199 John Fitch Highway, Fitchburg, MA 01420.

Smith-Mallahy-Masciarelli Funeral Home directed arrangements.