I was about to wish Natasha a Happy Birthday on her Facebook page and with an e-card when I stumbled across the news that she had passed away. I was shocked to see this, and yet, I know she was battling a tumor that was giving her all sorts of troubles. Bless her sweet, enthusiastic, loving soul.

I met Natasha when she took two of my belly dance classes many years ago at AUM. I learned as much from her as she did from me, and that continued through the years since. We became friends like sisters and I feel privileged to have known her. Even after I moved to Florida to be nearer my son, Natasha and I visited quite often via e-mail and occasionally I travelled back to Montgomery to visit. As many have said, her daughter was her raison d'être and I never communicated with Natasha without hearing about how proud she was of Alisa! 

Natasha was the inspiration behind a trip I took to Russia a few years ago, and every time I came back to Montgomery to visit, we'd plan lunch at a Mexican restaurant and I was always so impressed by her Spanish enthusiasm and international knowledge. I remember visiting her and Alisa in their home and she had me wear socks that she knitted and later gave them to me. The three of us had wonderful Russian blackcurrant tea and lavish bakery cakes. What a treat! In fact, I'm having a cup right now in memory of my precious Natasha.

I send my deepest condolences to Robert and Alisa for their terrible loss. I shall pray for them. I can visualize a happy Heaven with a healthy Natasha beaming her joy into every nook and cranny and joining people together with her enthusiasm. Bless you Natasha. I shall miss you so very much, until we meet again.

The loss of Natasha is a big loss, it is difficult to say goodbye to a person full of energy, that she was always contagious enthusiasm and sharing experiences of life and education. I met Natasha 4 years ago, being my English teacher, and what I can say is that she was one of teachers more remarkable that I have known, simply a person admirable, in personality and wisdom. My sincere condolences to her family.

I have known Natasha for many years. She has always been so full of life, so happy and funny. When we had our Russian girls' parties, she would always be the heart of the party. She knew so many songs and we would sing Russian folk songs for hours and hours.  She brought laughter and joy with her anywhere she went. 
Alisa was the bright star in Natasha's life. Natasha was always so proud of her daughter - she was her best friend. Natasha dedicated her life to raising Alisa, teaching her multiple languages, taking her all across the globe. 
I remember many times she would ask Alisa to sing for us in Spanish or help her order food in Spanish when we went to a Mexican restaurant. 
Natasha was so proud of Alisa's accomplishments at school - she was always bragging about how talented and special Alisa was. 
It is so sad to know that we will never see our friend again. We will always keep her in our hearts.
May your soul rest in peace, Natasha!  Good-bye, my Friend! God bless!!!

We are at a loss for words during this sorrowful time. While we have only known Natasha for a short few years and never met her in person,  she became our good friend. Always telling stories,  making jokes,  sharing her thoughts and laughter - she knew how to love and enjoy life. 
Natasha was very good-natured and supportive person taking good care of those around, and so proud of you Alisa! 
We know this must be a very difficult and demanding time for the family. We keep you in our thoughts. May your good memories of Natasha bring you peace and comfort. 
RIP Natasha,  and know that we will never forget you.

Dear Robert and Alisa, Bonnie and I have you both in our thoughts and prayers.  We were shocked to hear of Natasha's passing.  We cannot believe that this has happened a second time for you, and Alisa is much too young to lose her mother.  We are so sad for you both.  May the Lord give you the strength to bear this terrible loss.

Robert and Alisa, my sincerest condolences at the loss of your wife and Mother.  I know she loved you with all of her heart, and Alisa, you were your Mother's pride and joy.  She was always telling stories about your talents, accomplishments and your spirit.  My sympathies to Natasha's sister and her children as well.  

I was privileged to have co-taught ESL with Natasha for about 7 years, and I learned many techniques from her.  Natasha loved teaching, and it showed.  She developed relationships with her students and their families.  She was interested in their lives, often lending a helpful novel or textbook, or giving them outgrown clothing or toys.  I treasure the time Natasha and I spent together, talking about her family while having tea and Russian cookies.  

The world has lost a talented woman with a joyous heart and a contagious enthusiasm, and I will forever miss my dear friend.  Many ESL students have asked me to express to you their sadness as well, and to let you know they are praying for you.  My prayer is that Jesus wraps His arms around you and comforts you with His peace in this difficult time.

What joy Natasha brought to our ASF Acting Academy classes year after year.  She was a shining talent, so vibrant and positive and full of love and laughter.  I will miss her so much.  My love to you dear Alisa in this painful time.  I am sorry for your tremendous loss.

The picture of Natasha is how I will always remember her.  As a student in her Spanish classes at AUM, I found a friend in her as well as a teacher.  She was such a unique and charming person, it was a joy to be in her company and I will never forget her.  I loved listening to her stories about growing up in Russia, about her travels, and about her beloved family.   Her passing leaves an empty place that cannot be filled.  I will always miss her lively spirit, her wonderful laugh, her warm and charitable heart, and her beautiful soul.  Rest in peace, dear one, you touched so many of us and will never be forgotten.

While I have known Natasha for only a year, as a co teacher with her in Frazer's ESL program, I will long remember her contagious laughter, her tenacity for living life to the fullest and her heartfelt investment in the lives of her students. We could always count on Natasha to break an awkward silence with a provocative question or an illustration from her well traveled past. Her command of English grammar helped  students to understand the complexities and irregularities of the English language. She found multiple ways to demonstrate her love for students, the English language, and all things International. It will be hard to imagine Frazer ESL without Natasha's signature Russian accent, her vivacious personality and the confident free spirit which inspired her approach to teaching. Natasha's absence will be felt by students and colleagues alike!

What a treat to have known Natasha and the vibrancy that she brought to every occasion. I knew Natasha for less than a year as we were co-teachers in Frazer's ESL program, yet she made an indelible impression on me and all of her students. It will be hard to gather each Tuesday evening in a familiar place without encountering her familiar face and effervescent spirit. She exuded a love for her students, teaching, and English wherever she went! We grieve this loss with you and pray that God's comfort will be very real at those times when you need it most! Sharon Adams for ESL Advanced Class.

Dear Robert and Alisa,
I offer my sincerest condolences to you, especially you Alisa for the loss of your mother. I know how close the two of you were, inseparable actually. I remember all of trips she took you to so many countries and continents. I also remember how we came to your plays and you came to my Spanish lessons. I think a lasting legacy that your mother gave you is your fluency in so many languages and your ability to meet all the challenges of traveling around the world. Your mother loved you dearly-you were her world. She had a love of life that was greater than I have ever seen. She never met a person who wasn't immediately her friend. One of her students who was a physician described her as a linguistic genius. I remember how excited she was to go to Cuba on the mission trip. I think it was like a dream come true for her to go to a communist associated country where they also spoke Spanish. Going to Cuba made a huge impression on her, particularly the poverty of the nation. Natasha put her family first and you, Alisa were at the top of the list, but I loved that she traveled to Russia to check on her mother and also to go see her sister. Her family is small but she made them a priority in her life. Her heart was also huge for people learning languages. She seemed to love teaching English as a Second Language. She gave so freely of her time to teach people English. As a young woman, your mother had such a fascinating life, growing up in Siberia, being (a proud) member of the young communist party, teaching at the Russian War College students from all over the Russian Empire, coming to the US and learning to be an American, and teaching Spanish of all things to so many of us! But Alisa, in all of that, you were her pride and joy and the number one priority in her life. May all the angels surround you with their protection as you go through this loss. You are loved!


Deeply we mourn for premature our demise heartily loved girlfriend, colleague, beautiful and devoted mother and the remarkable wonderful wife Natalya.
She was a bright, talented, cheerful, vigorous and   kind person with a good sense of humor always ready to help the others. We will miss her very much...Our sincere sympathy for the family and relatives.

I was very sorry to hear the sad news. Natasha was my former student of English, a very bright, highly motivated and talented one. Though she graduated from the University a long time ago, we always stayed in touch with her. She was a very special person, always thoughful and caring, very alive, full of life and great enthusiasm. My heart is broken now. I will miss my friend a lot. She will always be in my thoughts and prayers. My deepest sympathy for her family and relatives.



We are in grief
with all the heart, we remember, we love. Rest in peace dear Natasha,

Your schoolmates.

We grieve with all the heart, we remember, we love. Rest in piece dear Natasha,
 Your schoolmates.

We remember, we love, we grieve. Very much we will feel lack of  you. Sincere condolences to the family. Sisters Gusev Lena and Marina

Dearest family and relatives of Natasha,we are all astonished to hear about  passing away of our dearest friend, college, a wonderful mother for her Alisa and a niciest wife of her husband.Natasha was a a bright, talented, cheerful, vigorous and kind person. We will miss her very much...

Dearest family of Natalia, I am so sad to hear this news. Natasha (as I knew her) was a sweet, wonderful and funny person.  I really loved the time I spent with her.  I first met Natasha in of all places a belly-dancing class at AUM.  Then years later, she went on a mission trip with me to Cuba.  The Cuban people adored her.  My heart hurts for Alisa, as she was the apple of her mothers eye. I am also sorry for her husband and family.  I know she was well loved and I have no doubt she is making people laugh in Heaven.
Blessings! Linda

OBITUARY

Natalia Chirkova Holland

November 6, 1963 – October 28, 2016

Leak Memory Chapel

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