Adamkus: Lithuania has lost a noble individual and a genuine daughter

[The following is my translation of this presidential press announcement page]

Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus expressed his condolences to the family, loved ones, and all who knew Vaiva Vėbraitė.

“Lithuania, together with the World Lithuanian Community, has lost its noble individual and genuine daughter, Vaiva Vėbraitė. Born far from Lithuania, Vaiva’s life both confirmed her love for her the land of her parents and attested to the sacrifices she made for her responsibilities and work,” said the Lithuanian President. “Her path in life was lit by the spirit of patriotism and Lithuania, sparked by public activity in America and led her to Lithuania. Still raising her bountiful, beautiful family, she was one of the first to arrive in a just-becoming free Lithuania. Vaiva came on a mission of professional-pedagogical help; she never left.”

Vaiva’s name—with its knowledge, incredible patience, and enthusiasm—is firmly attached to early education reform. As faithful to principle as always, the president’s adviser was particularly concerned in the past few years with the quality of education in the humanities, the spread of news and education on patriotism and citizenship, and the battle against negative phenomena in Lithuania’s schools.

“Vaiva has left, but her initiatives and work remain in all of our schools and through the knowledge their students have acquired. Those who knew her will remember a Great Person, who made time enough to be a loving mother and wife, help others, improve herself, and as far as her strength would take her, to work for Lithuania,” said President Valdas Adamkus.