Pirjo Birgitta Jala

Pirjo Birgitta (Taipale) Jala, 89, of Westfield, Indiana, peacefully passed away at home on April 2, 2026. She was born on September 20, 1936, in Lahti, Finland, to her late parents, Veikko Taipale and Elsa (Satama) Taipale. On July 29, 1956, she married Jorma Jala, and they shared many wonderful years together until his passing in 2008.

Pirjo worked as an office manager at a driving school in Lahti, where she met her future husband, who owned a car dealership next door. After their marriage, she became a devoted homemaker, caring for her children who, as she would say, were wonderful (most of the time).

In 1975, the family moved to the United States. Pirjo began volunteering at a nursing home and later became a nurse’s aide, as she loved working with both children and the elderly. In recognition of her service, she received a volunteer commendation from New York City Mayor Ed Koch. In 1996, Pirjo and her husband moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she worked as the office manager for Jala Equipment until their retirement in 2007.

Pirjo was a natural caregiver and a true social butterfly. She enjoyed organizing neighborhood gatherings and potlucks, and her warm, radiant smile drew people to her wherever she went. She loved knitting and made sure everyone received handmade socks, mittens, scarves, and occasionally her creative “experimental” pieces. She especially loved Christmas, transforming her home into a spectacular winter wonderland each year. Her other passions included NASCAR, baking cakes, gardening, and growing orchids; having inherited her mother’s green thumb. Her mango trees produced hundreds of mangoes each year, which she happily shared with neighbors along with her favorite recipes.

Pirjo is survived by her children, Pia Jala (Willie Christiansen) and Jaana Jala (Tammy Carr); her grandson, Nicholas Martell (Kimberly Martell); her great-grandchild, Maibel Martell; her brothers, Eero Taipale, Reino Taipale, and Markku Taipale; and her cousins and dear friends, Ritva Liukko and Tuula Taipale.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Jorma Jala; her son, Pete Jala; her twin daughters, Birgitta and Elisabeth; her sister, Marjatta Lahtinen; and her brothers, Jussi Taipale and Heikki Taipale.

Pirjo will be remembered for her warmth, generosity, and the love she shared so freely with all who knew her. Her memory will live on in the hearts of her family and friends forever. A memorial service to celebrate Pirjo’s life will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026, from 12:00 pm-2:00 pm at Flanner Buchanan - Hamilton Memorial Park (Prairie Waters), 4180 Westfield Rd., Westfield, IN 46062.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Pirjo’s honor to Amyloidosis Foundation https://amyloidosis.org/ and/or Alzheimer’s Association https://www.alz.org/.