Obituary: Marja-Liisa Käär, Dedicated Pediatrician Focused on Children's Well-being

Helsingin Sanomat remembers Marja-Liisa Käär, a dedicated pediatrician whose life was a testament to compassion and a profound commitment to the well-being of children. Her passing leaves a void not only in the medical community but also in the hearts of the many families she served with unwavering kindness and expertise.

From humble beginnings on a small farm in Kainuu after the war, Käär's sharp intellect and thirst for knowledge propelled her through her education, culminating in medical studies at the University of Oulu. Her specialization in pediatrics, underscored by her doctoral thesis on diabetes home care and her docentship in pediatric endocrinology, reflects a lifelong dedication to her young patients. She was remembered not just as a skilled physician but as a genuinely warm individual, recognized by former patients even years later on the streets of Vaasa, where she led the children's clinic for over a decade.

Beyond her professional achievements, Käär's life was rich with personal passions. Her love for her husband Kalevi, with whom she shared over 60 years of marriage, was evident in their shared adventures sailing and hiking. Her creative spirit flourished in her artistic pursuits, from crafting clothing and tapestries to sculpting hundreds of figures from clay and concrete, even teaching her craft at summer art camps. Her active lifestyle, embracing skiing, foraging, nature observation, and even learning to kayak at 80, speaks volumes about her indomitable spirit and zest for life.

Marja-Liisa Käär embodied the principle of caring for others. She was a cherished friend, a loving wife, a devoted mother and grandmother, and a vital support to many even in her eighties. Her legacy is one of profound impact, not only through her medical practice but through the warmth, creativity, and vibrant engagement with life she shared with all who knew her. Finland has lost a remarkable individual whose life's work centered on the health and happiness of its youngest citizens.