Related by Marriage: They stayed behind, too.

Mr. Irene's Father grew up on a farm, on the outskirts of Panevėžys. Mr. Irene's paternal Grandparents were school teachers. 

When Mr. Irene's Father fled Lithuania, everyone thought the exile would be temporary. No one predicted that the Russian occupation would last for more than a few months. As a result, Mr. Irene's parental Grandparents remained on the farm to take care of the property. They also decided not to flee because their third son, Stacey, was still a young boy; it didn't seem to make sense to leave with such a little child in tow.

Like my Mother's maternal aunt, Dora, Mr. Irene's Grandparents made the decision to stay behind.

Near Panevėžys, Lithuania, about 1936. Mr. Irene's paternal Grandmother, Veronica, carries a bucket into the farmhouse in which Mr. Irene's Father grew up. The house had no indoor plumbing.

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Near Panevėžys, Lithuania, about 1936. Here's a closer look at Mr. Irene's paternal Grandmother, Veronica. She's standing next to her husband's Aunt, who is dressed in widow's black.