LELAND — Tiina Raal Earley, 80, of Leland, NC, passed away peacefully at home on the morning of Friday, April 4, 2025, surrounded by much of her beloved family.
Tiina was born on December 10, 1944, in the Lichtenberg district of Berlin, Germany, to Erika and Aleksander Raal. Her parents, Estonian refugees, had fled their homeland to escape the ravages of war, only to find themselves once again on the move when Berlin came under relentless attack. In search of safety, they journeyed westward and eventually spent nearly six years in a displaced persons camp in Germany before resettling in Leicester, England, where Tiina would spend her formative years.
In Leicester, Tiina began to build the joyful, people-centered life she would become known for. At kindergarten, she met her lifelong friend Christine Mason, a bond that endured eight decades and spanned continents. Just a week before her passing, the two shared one more warm conversation via FaceTime. Tiina often reminisced about the carefree days she and Christine spent riding horses through the streets of Queniborough and, later in life, cruising the English canal network aboard Captain Clive Mason’s narrowboat.
Tiina graduated from Burlington House Academy in Leicester and, at the age of 19, made her own journey across the ocean to the United States, settling first in Washington, D.C., where she worked as an au pair for two physicians. Eager to experience more, she moved to New York City, where fate introduced her to the love of her life, John. The couple met in 1966 and were married two years later—twice, in fact: once in the U.S. and again in Leicester, surrounded by her family and friends.
Tiina and John spent a lifetime exploring the world together. Her adventurous Irishman took her to nearly every corner of the globe; their travels only paused during the pandemic, which delayed planned trips to Japan and China—the final two continents she had hoped to visit.
In retirement, the couple moved to Asheville and eventually settled in Magnolia Greens in Leland, NC, where they found a true sense of home and community. They embraced life there fully and never looked back. Tiina enjoyed luncheons with friends and neighbors, MahJong, reading, animal watching, cups of tea, and visits with her children and grandchildren.
Tiina is survived by her husband of nearly 58 years, John; her son Matthew Earley and his wife Daphne of Forsyth, GA, along with their children Aleksander, Gavin, and Kennedy; her daughter Mai-Lis Bahr and her husband Chris of Charlotte, NC, and their children Carson and Addison; and her daughter Amanda Earley of Leland, NC. She also leaves behind her cherished blue Merle Aussiedoodle, Mavis.
She was preceded in death by her brother, Mart Raal, who passed away in Leicester on February 18, 2017. Tiina also held a deep affection for the many pets she loved and lost over the years, including her Yorkshire Terriers, Hudson and Tinker; her Airedale Terrier, Sydney; her dog Casey; and her cat, Foster.
The family would like to express heartfelt gratitude to Life Care Hospice for their exceptional support, and especially to RN Caley Irving, whose compassionate guidance and tender care brought comfort to both Tiina and those who loved her.
