Nora Pozdnikoff Biography
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Nora (Negreiff) Pozdnikoff at the Slocan Community Health Center’s Pavilion in New Denver, BC on April 26, 2021 at the age of 85.
Nora was born on June 28, 1935 to Netta (Gritchen) and William Negreiff in the Popoff village in Ootischenia. She was second born of four with siblings: Bill, Polly and Alex. Nora attended school in Ootishchenia. Having a Russian name, Nastya, the teacher chose an equivalent sounding English first name.
In her early 20s, Nora worked at the Co-op in Brilliant as a cashier and bookkeeper. A photo of her was featured in Koozma Tarasoff’s book, “ A Pictorial History of the Doukhobours .” In her mid-20s, she met George Pozdnikoff at a softball game in Thrums. They fell in love and in October of 1961 they got married. Several years later they built a family home in Ootishchenia, where they raised their two daughters, Lynn and Sharon.
Nora was an avid gardener. She would spend the majority of the year gardening – starting plants from seed in the basement, transplanting plants into the cold beds where they were nurtured and kept safe and warm; and finally working on her large garden which produced amazing vegetables. With her success in the garden came the never-ending task of preserving which allowed us to enjoy the fruits of her labour during the winter months. Nora loved to make Doukhobor food and her family’s favourites were atvar, vareniki, pyrahi, borscht, lapsha and purple pickles. She also loved to forage for suziki, huckleberries and mushrooms. Last year, she was happy to accompany family looking for morel mushrooms in the spring and foraging for huckleberries in the summer.
Driving was a great source of joy for Nora. Bill, Nora’s brother, taught her to drive and helped her buy her first Chevrolet. She continued driving, in her latest Chevy, well into her 80s. Nora had lots of hobbies. She had a lovely voice and thoroughly enjoyed singing. In her 20s she traveled with the Ambassador Choir to the United States. Nora was extremely talented when it came to hand painting and embroidering Doukhobor shawls. Her work was intricate and meticulous and she had frequent requests from individuals wishing to purchase her beautiful ‘Платки’. She enjoyed other handicrafts such as making wool quilts, weaving rugs on a loom, knitting, crocheting and sewing.
Nora was a lifelong USCC member and spent time volunteering for numerous activities. In 2017, she was recognized for her lifelong commitment to the USCC. She volunteered as a Sunday school teacher, was a member of the Kootenay Ladies Organization, belonged to the lady’s cooking and catering groups and spent time each year working on the flower gardens at Verigin Memorial Park.
Nora is survived by her daughters, Lynn Koftinoff and Sharon Pozdnikoff, granddaughters, Melissa, Jillian and Katarina Koftinoff, sister, Polly (Kal) Pesonen, and sisters-in-laws, Irene Negreiff and Mary Pozdnekoff and many cousins, nieces and nephews.
Predeceased by her father William (1977), brother Alex (1996), mother Netta (1997), sister-in-law Marie (2002), husband George (2009) and brother Bill (2015).
Due to Covid restrictions, a private Doukhobor service was held on May 4, 2021 at the Castlegar Funeral Chapel with burial at the Ootischenia Cemetery.
The family would like to thank the following who were able to support us in helping send mom to her final resting place:
Bill and John Strilaeff and staff from the Castlegar Funeral Chapel, for their service and guidance, the staff at the Slocan Community Health Centre for taking wonderful care of mom, the USCC Kootenay men’s group, the grave diggers: Craig Coleman, Peter Zaitsoff, Larry Stoochnoff, and Clayton Kabatoff, the pallbearers: Ron Negreiff, Andrew Negreiff, Michael Negreiff and Derrick Leung, the singers at the cemetery, aunt Mary Pozdnekoff and aunt Irene Negreiff.
You will live forever in our hearts. We miss you Mom and Baba.
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Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Nora Pozdnikoff 2021..
Décès pour la Ville: Castlegar, Province: Colombie britanique