Obituary of Elisabeth Lopukhin

Elisabeth Lopukhin Elisabeth Lopukhin, a resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie, entered into rest, Wednesday, July 23, 2008 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie. She was 75. Born February 14, 1933 in Paris, France, her parents were Nikita and Sophie (a noted theological author and educator) Koulomzin, who predeceased her. Growing up in France, she survived World War II separated from her parents as a very young girl, as it was thought to be safer. Reunited after the war, the family emigrated to the United States in November 1948. Elisabeth was accepted on a scholarship to Connecticut College, New London, CT. where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in French Literature in 1954. After graduating college, she was employed by the World Council of Churches. She married Michael Lopukhin on August 29, 1954. She then worked as a secretary at Air France. The majority of her working life was spent as a dedicated Social Worker at the Tolstoy Foundation Nursing Home in Valley Cottage, NY, where she impressed many with her advocacy for the elderly. Following her retirement in 1998 she served on the Board of Directors of Sts. Cosmas and Damian Nursing Home in Staten Island, NY. A deeply religious woman, Elisabeth was a parishioner at St. Gregory's Church in Wappingers Falls. She also attended services for many years at St. Vladimir's Seminary in Crestwood, NY, and St. Sergius of Radonezh Chapel, Lac Labelle, Canada. Most of all, however, she devoted herself to raising her four children, being an extraordinary grandmother of 5 grandchildren and being a partner in life with her husband Michael. Always living life to the fullest even in retirement, Elisabeth was a giving woman and always put the needs of others before her own. Elizabeth and her husband were very involved in the Russian Gift of Life, hosting many children in their home while they were recuperating from heart surgery. Elisabeth was an avid gardener, most recently directing a very patient contractor in the building of stone sculptures at her new home. She will always be remembered for her love of life and her delicious "way with food". She is survived by her husband, Michael, daughters Olga, Tatiana and Alexandra, son Andrei, three granddaughters and two grandsons. Family will receive their friends on Friday, July 25, 2008 at St. Gregory's Orthodox Church, 1500 Route 376, Wappingers Falls. The funeral service will be held at 7 pm on Friday at the church. A liturgy will be offered at 9:30 am at the church on Saturday, July 26. Interment will follow in Russian Convent Cemetery, Nanuet, New York. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to St. Gregory's Orthodox Church Building Fund, 1500 Rte. 376, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 or Religious Books for Russia, Inc., PO Box 160, Lagrangeville, NY 12540. Arrangements are under the direction of Straub, Catalano and Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, New York. To send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website, www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com