KIRA KRASSIOUKOVA (MIRONOVA)

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KIRA KRASSIOUKOVA (nee MIRONOVA) Kira Krassioukova, was born on April 27, 1930 in the heart of St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad), Russia - Vassilievsky Island, into a family of great intellectuals, professionals, musicians, artists and teachers. Kira's father, Dr. Sergei Mironov was a surgeon, athlete and a poet, her mother, Mrs. Maria Mironova, was a professional opera singer, who started her career at the St. Pertersburg (Russia) Mariinsky Opera House. Kira's life was full of adventures, challenges and opportunities. She was only six years old in 1936, when her family was exiled from their beloved St. Petersburg due to Stalin's repressions against intelligence class and forced to move to Rostov-Don (north Caucasus area) first, and then to Gurzuf (resort area on the Black Sea). Her father had to become a military physician in order to protect the family and her mother had to leave her life-dream vocation as an opera singer in St. Petersburg, but not leaving her loved professional partner a snow-white grand piano, that became a life-symbol for Kira. Kira, as a young girl loved the magnificent setting by the Black Sea: mountains, and the sea itself, and the variety of adventure opportunities there. Kira was only 11, when the Second World War started. Her father was working as a chief surgeon at a military hospital. Her mother, together with Kira and her youngest sister, Natasha, fled their home and joined thousands of other displaced people to travel by cargo trains, escaping the Nazi occupation. Everything was left behind, everything except their hopes and each other. Kira, as a young girl, developed an extraordinarily strong will and character, amazing interest to learn, ability to adapt to new situations and was never afraid to try the many new things life presented. Leaving her home during the Second World War, living in a rented room with mud walls and floor in a small Russian village, Kira, a very urban and accustomed to comfort 12-13 year-old girl, learnt how to knit, plant a garden and make bread, in order to help her own family to survive that harsh time. Kira's family was re-united in 1945 and moved back to Rostov-Don, where life slowly started to return to a regular path. Kira continued her schooling, plus piano and voice lessons. Her parents' dream was for her to continue the family traditions of becoming a physician or a musician/artist, however Kira wanted to try something different and applied to an engineering university and became an electrical engineer. Being a brilliant graduate, she had the choice of working in Moscow or returning to St. Petersburg. Instead, she decided to join thousands of young people to rebuild a city upon which the outcome of the Second World War hinged, the city of Volgograd (Stalingrad). Volgograd became her home, where she started her own family and her two children and a special grandson were born. In Volgograd, Kira became one of the chief-engineers at the largest industrial factory in Russia. She also became a writer and editor of a popular industrial newspaper. After being an accomplished engineer and writer for more than a decade, she decided to return to an educational environment and began to teach physics and astronomy. She was a gifted teacher, beloved and respected by her students and colleagues. Despite her immense love of teaching she decided on early retirement due to the birth of her special grandson Dmitri, for whom she became an incredible grandmother (Babushka), mentor, and friend. In 1994, Kira moved to Canada to be together with her two children and grandson. She developed many new friendships in London, Toronto, Winnipeg, and Vancouver and enjoyed the time spent at her son's place, her daughter's, and her own apartment at Arlington House, where she lived for 17 years and have many friends. Kira was an amazing mother and grandmother, finding the greatest joy in giving. She was an intellectual with vast interests and knowledge in physics and astronomy, science and religion, history and politics, music and arts, gardening and baking, clothing design and seamstressing and many other areas; and kept this interest until the last days of her life. Kira passed on her passion for learning to her children and grandson, who all chose to become physicians and researchers. She also kept the art and music and literature as integral parts of our family and our lives. Kira also mastered English after arrival to Canada and many of whom met her enjoyed her wit, wisdom and joyful discussions about art, music, history, and science over wonderfully prepared Russian dinners for which she was also famous among friends. She very much loved music and masterfully played the piano and accordion, to almost the last days of her life. Kira was a friend, support, an advisor, and inspiration to her children, grandson, and many friends in Canada and Russia. Kira's wishes were to be cremated, which has taken place and a private family ceremony will be held at a later date. The family deeply appreciates the support and care by Dr. Gary Harding of CancerCare Manitoba. We also, value the care by Dr. Mike Volpe, the nursing and support staff of the Palliative Care Unit at the St. Boniface Hospital. Thank-you to the many friends and extended family for the support you have provided during last two months to Kira and her family. Kira passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 19 holding hands of her children and grandson. Kira's life, her memory and stories continue in her son Dr. Andrei Krassioukov of Vancouver, her daughter Dr. Olga Krassioukova-Enns (late Dr. Henry Enns) of Winnipeg, her grandson Dmitri Krassioukov-Enns of Winnipeg, and her granddaughter Liisa Janno (Krasjukova), Marco and two great-grandchildren, of Tallinn, Estonia.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Jun 22, 2013