Aila Wartell

Aila Wartell passed away on January 5, 2025, under at home hospice care with her children and husband by her side. She was 81. Born in Tampere, Finland, Aila came to the United States at the age of 8 when her parents, Toivo and Tyyne Salo, emigrated to the United States. She grew up in Fitchburg, Massachusetts and developed her innate talent in art that brought her to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and an initial career in fashion design. She met her future husband, Roger, while a student. They married four years later and lived in Rochester N.Y. for two years where Aila completed a B.Sc. degree in psychology at the University of Rochester while her husband was obtaining his graduate degree.

After moving to Atlanta in 1974, Aila worked as a graphic designer at Georgia Tech for 16 years while raising her two children Zachary and Arlena and supporting her husband. She was a selfless, devoted, and loving mother and wife. She was a fastidious homemaker, and the consummate planner of family vacations, often exploring National Parks and natural wonders, from the eastern and western shores of Canada to the American southwest, from the northern Rocky Mountains to the mountains of the southeast. She volunteered as a Docent at the Fernbank Museum of Natural History for several years, and served as an Associate Envoy for the Finnish delegation at the 1996 Summer Olympic Games.

In the mid 1990’s Aila became interested in teaching young children. She obtained her teaching certification at Mercer University. After student-teaching and working as a substitute teacher at local elementary schools she obtained an appointment as a preschool teacher at the Epstein School for several years and later at the Cliff Valley School where she taught until she retired in 2007. Fellow teachers noted that ‘the children always light up’ when she entered the room.

After retiring, Aila continued her love of learning and art. She took courses at the Chabad Intown Jewish Academy and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Her home, and her children were already filled with her artwork, including paintings, monoprints and pen and ink drawings. In retirement, Aila became very active in the Atlanta Artists Center and Atlanta Collage Society developing her skills as a collage artist. This artwork was frequently selected for art shows at the Atlanta Artists Center Grandview Gallery and other galleries in Atlanta and the Southeast. She had the joy and pride of 4 to 6 of her works being purchased each year. Her artwork resonated with viewers as reflected by the 17 juried awards she obtained at art exhibits between 2014 and 2020.

Her husband and family wish to thank Aila’s caregivers for their loving and dedicated care and support. They have become family.

Aila’s sensitivity and creativity shined brightly through her gift for teaching children and her talent in painting and collage. Her love of family and friends, her artwork, and influence on young minds and hearts are her legacy.