My mom, Liudmila Popovici, was a kind, giving, and caring woman. On Mother's Day, she passed away shortly after midnight. She was a gentle soul, and had a very strong personality and will to live. In her last days she battled cancer after having battled kidney disease 16 years prior. She had a passion for knowledge, academia and the growth and development of young people, including her students, each of whom she loved. Before immigrating to the US, she was a Professor of Latin and Russian literature. She came here to be with her grandson, Ilya, and did everything to share her life with him. My mom was eternally grateful for her life in the US, and the miracles that life gave her, especially the kindness of a stranger who provided her with a kidney donation. She was very intelligent and in her strength, was everything that I want to be. She will be greatly missed by all who were blessed to know her.