Lea Hark

Lea Hark, age 93, of Getzville, New York, passed away on March 9, 2026. Born near Otepää, Estonia, on December 8, 1932, to Aino and Kustas Hark, she spent her early childhood in her homeland until the family became refugees in 1944 and were displaced to Germany. They lived in various Displaced Persons camps until December 1949, when they were sponsored and emigrated to the United States. Before settling in Buffalo, Lea lived in Lyndonville, Vermont, and Baltimore, Maryland. She graduated from Grover Cleveland High School and earned a BA in Biology from the University of Buffalo. She held a deep love for classical music and the outdoors.

Lea is survived by her brother Andres (Kathleen) Hark, nephews Peter (Justine) Hark and Scott Hark, and grandnieces Lola and Stella Hark. She was preceded in death by her parents, Aino and Kustas Hark, and her twin brother Vaino. Her family extends deep gratitude to the many organizations that supported her through the challenges of cerebral palsy, especially her devoted “family” — the dedicated staff at Aspire Audubon in Getzville, where she lived for 24 years — and the compassionate team at Hospice Buffalo.