Mia Utkin

Mia Utkin, 71, a resident of West Mountain Road, passed away January 30, 2015 at her home surrounded by her family. Mia was born in Tallin, Estonia on September 29, 1943 the daughter of the late Johan and Johanna (Ohi) Kaar, where at a young age she and her family escaped Soviet occupation. After moving to the United States Mia attended Western High School in Baltimore. Along with her husband Valter, Mia owned and operated the Whispering Pines Motel in Woodford and the Eyrie Motel in Manchester. After retiring from inkeeping in 1979, Mia worked for the Vermont Country Store. In her earlier years Mia kept very involved with the Estonian Community in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. and locally in Albany, New York. Mia loved animals, especially her dogs and enjoyed traveling, especially to the coast of Maine. Mia is survived by her husband Valter Utkin of Shaftsbury, her niece Lisa Winer of Chattanooga, Tennessee and cousins. She was preceded in death by her sister Tea Kaar Winer who died in 1977. At the request of the family there will be no formal funeral services. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Mia's memory may be made to the Second Chance Animal Shelter, c/o Hanson-Walbridge & Shea Funeral Home P.O. Box 957 Bennington, Vermont 05201 At the request of the family there will be no formal funeral services.