Marina was born and raised in a Christian home in her homeland. Her faith was not shaken when the Kremlin government pressured her to deny her faith in God. Because she wasn't intimidated to abandon her faith, she was not allowed to receive a higher education and become a fashion designer.

In 1991 she arrived in the USA as a refugee fleeing religious persecution. Her first job was preparing meals and waiting on Carl's Jr customers. A few years later despite her broken English she enrolled in a trade school and completed 1600 hours of training and earned her Cosmetology license.

Marina worked as a skilled cosmetologist enjoying the craft and loving and caring for all her clients til the last day. Her life was cut short by a fatal, aggressive and untreatable glioblastoma.

Marina was proud of her youngest daughter being accepted to a four-year university. Marina worked hard to finance her daughter's education. Marina was not able to accomplish such educational and/or career goals in her home country because of the brutal Kremlin regime and its persecution of Christians.

In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in support of Marina’s wish: that her daughter, Yulya, be able to complete her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Oregon State University. A portion of your contribution will go toward Glioblastoma research.