In loving memory
Honoring my grandmother's legacy
My beloved grandmother passed away last week, and I’ve been sitting with the fullness of who she was to me.
She was the matriarch of our family - steady, brilliant, and deeply loved. A university professor with a PhD in astronomy and a mom of two, she showed me that it’s possible to pursue big ambitions while building a family.
I have so many fond memories of summers with her in Kyiv. She took me to ballet lessons across town, brewed her signature rose tea, and baked her sweet jam bars. She had a deep respect for the history of our family and the people of Ukraine.
A cancer survivor many times over, she was determined, protective, and always firmly rooted in what she believed was best. Even when we didn’t see eye to eye, I knew her guidance came from deep care and fierce love.
Just a month ago, I had the gift of visiting her with my older daughter. We sat together drinking tea, flipping through old photographs as she shared stories of her life in the Soviet Union. I’m so grateful for that time, one final memory to hold close.
As I raise my own girls, I hope to pass on the best of her: her sharp mind, her quiet resilience, and her unwavering devotion to family.
I’ll always carry her with me. And I’ll think of her every time I watch the sunset over the ocean.
Rest in peace, Baba Alla.
Namaste,
Tamara