Yelena was born on January 25, 1933 in Baku, Azerbaijan. She overcame many hardships from surviving World War II and the civil war in Azerbaijan to moving across the world for the sake of a better future for her children. Through all this, Yelena remained loyal, optimistic, compassionate and resilient. She worked tirelessly as an educator, a factory worker and a stay-at-home mom, never complaining or too proud to start over. Yelena was selfless, humble, easy going, curious, and inquisitive. She loved puzzles and was a great storyteller with impeccable memory and sharp wit. Above all, she enjoyed spending quality time with her loved ones, especially her great grandchildren.
Yelena was preceded in death by her parents Ashot and Varsenik, husband Vladimir, and brother Vladimir. She is survived by two sisters, Donara and Eleanora; two children and spouses, Vagarshak and Lidiya, Stella and Robert; five grandchildren and spouses, Alina and Oleg, Zhenya, Marina and Evan, Vladimir and Yulia, Yelena and Mark; nine great grandchildren, Igor, Sophia, Artem, Marusya, Ryan, Lilia, Emma, Mac and Levi; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021 and the funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 20, 2021 at McGilley & Hoge Johnson County Memorial Chapel, 8024 Santa Fe Drive, Overland Park, Kansas, with Pastor David Cook officiating. The burial will take place at the Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, 8321 Quivira Road, Lenexa, Kansas 66215, immediately following the service.
Due to Covid limitations, the chapel capacity during the funeral service is restricted to twenty-four people at a time. The funeral home and the family ask that you please exit the facility soon after paying your respects in order to allow others to do the same. (Face masks are required).
